Chapter 11 – Moving Forward

Severus watched the Feast from the High table. He had a lot to think about. The Halloween Feast was a sombre affair compared to previous years. Which was understandable given the circumstances. Pansy Parkinson was the only student who had died; and Moody was the only death from the Order. However, many Aurors had lost their lives, as had some parents who'd visited Hogsmeade. That meant there were many absences at each table as the students who were orphans were at St Mungo's under Ministry guard, grieving for their lost ones.

Lucius, Xander, and Corbin were in the Hospital Wing. Though, Lucius had woken up rather quickly after his ritual to remove his Dark Mark. Draco, Theo and Narcissa were there too. Parents had been invited to join the feast to join with their children, as a way to mark their unity in the times of tragedy, so the Weasley's were in attendance. The Slytherin table was the quietest, though, there wasn't much talk going on in general. Severus kept an eye on them, even though he wasn't their Head anymore. Sinistra was doing a much better job than he ever did. Tonight's events in the Chamber explained a lot that had been happened since last Spring. The whispering the Heads of Houses had been doing, the way they stopped when Severus came in. He realised that no matter what teacher was in the room, apart from Lupin and Black, who'd been in the know since the beginning due to their close relationship with Harry Potter. He'd missed out on meeting the Founders for two reasons; the lack of close relationship between Potter and himself – which was his own doing; and losing his position as the Head of Slytherin – also his own doing.

Severus couldn't help but feel envious about that. No one had a chance to ask any questions of the Founders, the knowledge one could gain from them. However, Lucius had old memories of that time, as did Potter, Longbottom, and Lovegood. He grimaced at the thought. Perhaps Lucius would share. The only good thing that Severus felt was that he was allowed to keep his memories of the meeting. Parkinson and Nott and his son who'd been allowed to enter the Chamber to meet the Founders had lost that memory as soon as they had exited the Chamber. It was a wonderful piece of magic. It also stopped those in the know from speaking regarding the Founders when there were others around who were not in the know. It explained the sudden silences. The magical prompt that announced the arrival of someone who did not know about the Founders and encouraged the speakers to move onto another topic. Yes, Severus had been astonished and pleased to know that he was allowed to keep his memory of the meeting with the Founders.

Severus had never been more surprised than when he saw Lucius last year rescuing the incarcerated students from the Death Eaters. Lucius had played his part well this last decade. No one could have suspected that he wasn't loyal to the Dark Lord. And Draco had been trained very well as well, playing his role as an obnoxious brat to the hilt. That was probably less acting and more true feelings. Draco was spoiled, godson or not, and a lot of what he did was driven by what he wanted. Traitor to the Dark Lord or not, Lucius would still have indulged his son. Why not, he could certainly afford to. Lucius, born into wealth, never had to worry about money.

In all the years Severus had known Lucius, he'd never felt inferior. Suddenly, that feeling overtook him today. Severus couldn't deny his envy; Lucius had money, a family he loved, and who loved him in return, he had no Dark Mark, and best of all, he'd been forgiven by Harry Potter as if nothing had happened. Why couldn't Severus have that?

Still, Severus hadn't given up. He already had a new plan to get Harry to forgive him. He just needed to explain himself a little more and for that he had already spoken to Dumbledore for assistance. When he'd called Lily that dreaded name, Severus had tried to apologise to Lily, more than once in fact. But he had given up too quickly. Perhaps if he hadn't events might have unfolded a little differently. Perhaps Lily would still be alive. He couldn't give up with Harry though, he just couldn't.

Hours after the Feast had ended, Severus found himself wandering outside. Even though he wasn't the Head of Slytherin anymore, he briefly walked down to the Common and spent some time with the friends of Pansy Parkinson, offering his condolences. He had been their Head for the better part of 5 years after all. And it made him feel gratified that the students still held some loyalty to him; even if he didn't deserve it. The Sorting Hat had been right about that. He'd not bridged any gaps; he'd simply driven a further wedge between the houses. Weakened the wards of the school as a result. Salazar Slytherin had looked at him in pity but hadn't spoken to him at all. Severus shook his head as he left the courtyard and made his way to the Great Lake.

He saw Lucius, already there, staring out at the Lake. Severus was surprised Pomfrey had let him leave so soon.

"I take it Narcissa has not forgiven you yet?" Severus drawled as he walked closer to his friend.

"She'll forgive me," Lucius replied. "By the end of the night, we'll be sharing a bed again."

Severus held back a snort. Typical arrogance for Lucius. That was not fake, at least. He had been beginning to wonder how much of what Lucius showed was real.

"How confident about that are you?"

"Enough to wager my wand," Lucius told him, still not looking at Severus.

"Where is Narcissa now?"

"She and Andromeda are in McGonagall's office. All the witches have ended up there. Ted Tonks wandered off with Black and Lupin. The Weasleys boys are with Black as well."

"How do you know all this?"

"The wards, my friend. A gift from the Founders. We all have them. Connected to them more deeply than the Headmaster even."

Severus heard the slight edge in Lucius' tone when he spoke about the Headmaster. Lucius had never held any high respect for Dumbledore; it seems that, at least, was not an act.

"How long have you known about your former life?" Severus asked with curiosity.

It certainly explained the change in Harry, Lovegood and Longbottom. He'd noticed they'd been closer since last year, when they had been as close as Weasley and Granger. Since before summer Severus had seen a certain shift in behaviour but had put it down to captivity. He'd never dreamed that that was what they were hiding.

"After I'd already graduated, after … Paris… but before I married Narcissa," Lucius answered. Severus tensed as he heard Lucius mention Paris. Lucius had family there from his mother's side and still held property in France. But after what happened with… Severus shied away from the name, Lucius never returned to Paris since the incident.

"And when did you tell Narcissa?"

"Whilst she was pregnant with Draco. She didn't believe me at first, thought I'd gone mad. You remember how I was when she told me we'd conceived? I never expected it. I had to prove it to her, several times. I think she gave in eventually, just to appease me, and to protect our child, she went along with my plans. I never hid anything from her. Nothing. She was my light. After Paris –" Here Lucius turned to Severus for the first time since his arrival, "She was the one who stood by me. She comforted me, gave herself to me, believed in me, kept me sane. I couldn't not tell her, not when I knew she'd wanted a child more than anything else and how much danger he would be in because of what I had to do."

Severus listened to Lucius in silence, in awe. Not that he'd ever admit it. But Lucius had a purpose. Something Severus never had. Severus felt like he seemed to drift from one mistake to another.

His one purpose had been given to him by Dumbledore; and that had been to keep Harry Potter safe. And Dumbledore had released him from that last year before he'd been suspended. So, Severus felt adrift once more. Until recently at least. Recently, thanks to some gadgets developed by the Weasley twins, he had found a way to become useful once more. Had once more found a path to redemption. That was between him and Dumbledore.

"However, Narcissa still stood by my side. Even though she didn't entirely believe, but she agreed that Draco had to be kept safe. It wasn't until tonight when the Founders revealed themselves to us that she probably thought I hadn't gone mad."

"I know what you mean, Lucius. Ron and Hermione weren't there when the Founders called for us at the end of May, but they also had a hard time believing what had happened," came a voice from behind Severus.

It was Harry, walking down with Longbottom by his side.

"Luna with the witches?" Lucius asked.

"Yep," Longbottom informed him happily.

Lucius nodded.

Severus was barely acknowledged by the approaching duo and he couldn't help but feel a pang at that. Lucius seemed to pick up on the atmosphere, from the look he darted between them but didn't comment. Severus couldn't help the dart of anger at Longbottom's insolence though. But he'd been following Harry sycophantically since their Fifth year. Now, they reminded him of Potter and Black.

Still, Severus didn't say anything.

"How was Parkinson?" Harry asked.

"Grieving," came the simple answer.

Harry nodded in understanding.

"Narcissa told me a little more about Dobby," Harry said eventually after a brief silence. "I don't think I would have believed her if she'd tried to telling me whilst she was living at Headquarters, so she let me believe the worst of you, the worst of her. I've apologised to her for that. I'd treated her unfairly for it. I've buried him near Hagrid's hut. Would you like to go see?"

Lucius looked unnerved a little at the offer for a moment before nodding.

"Oh, and Narcissa also said that Simmy doesn't know yet," Harry added as he walked off towards Hagrid's.

Severus was about to walk away, but a look from Lucius compelled him to join, against his will. He felt a little awkward following them, as if he was intruding. He'd felt the same way when he'd witnessed Potter's grief when burying the house-elf.

He'd not been invited to watch the funeral, such as it was, but he'd tagged along anyway and then regretted it as he'd seen how upset Potter was. Severus didn't care much for house-elves. They were loud for such little creatures, slightly demented in their fervour to serve. He knew one entered his quarters for housekeeping, but they were strictly forbidden to enter his labs, not even to clean.

Harry hadn't deigned to look at him at all, it was as if he didn't exist. Lily had done much the same after their falling out. They heard Hagrid's booming laugh before they even saw the hut come into sight, and the shooting of flames. Severus couldn't help his grimace as he recalled the dragon that Lucius had ridden to the rescue on. Of course, Hagrid still had it.

"Cora!" Lucius swore and sped up towards the dragon.

Harry and Longbottom exchanged glances before following at a more leisurely pace. Hagrid didn't seem to care that the dragon was perilously close to burning down his wooden hut, or that his cowardly dog was trembling hiding on the opposite side of the hut, peeking out occasionally in fear.

"Cora," Lucius called, and the dragon obliging bent its head towards Lucius to be petted. "Good girl."

Hagrid was putting out flames on his coat with his huge hand. Severus kept his distance, but he saw Hagrid's face fall at Lucius' arrival.

"Wha' are yer doin' here Malfoy?"

Lucius didn't mind the half-giants tone. He simply looked to Harry and Longbottom to explain.

"Lucius is the wizard who brought Cora to us, remember? To drive off the trolls? He was disguised as Malachy at the time. Luna and I have told you about Malachy," Harry said patiently.

"Yeah, yer did," Hagrid said, looking no less disgruntled.

Severus couldn't help the feeling of dismay. They'd trusted Hagrid, the oaf who was unable to keep his mouth shut, over him. If Hagrid was unable to keep a secret then how come the whole school didn't know? A voice said slyly inside his head. He conveniently forgot the Confidentiality spell that stopped any secrets from being divulged.

Severus pushed the feeling aside. It was akin to betrayal and he had no right to feel that. Harry didn't trust him and it was his own fault. He'd earn it, though. He'd earn that trust. He would.

"Did you manage to get all the trolls back to the mountain?" Longbottom asked.

"Cora had ta roast a few more when some o' them tried to branch off, but she managed to chivvy them all back. Good girl, is Cora. Good girl," Hagrid smiled, patting the dragon on the nose.

"Where did you find her?" Harry asked, looking at the dragon cautiously.

"The Dragon Reserve in Wales. Xander and I made a slight detour to see if she was willing to join. She just wanted to stretch her wings a little," Lucius explained. "I'll take her back tomorrow night, probably. She's a little temperamental so the handlers were glad to loan her to me. But she's been perfect for me, haven't you, darling?"

He saw Harry and Longbottom exchange glances again, amused ones this time.

"I wish I had your affinity for dragons," Longbottom said, stepping closer cautiously.

"Couldn't she stay fer longer?" Hagrid asked hopefully. "She'll not be trouble. I can feed her the same as wha' I feed the Thestrals."

Lucius didn't answer immediately.

"She can't be tamed, Hagrid," Lucius said slowly. "She's slightly more docile, more for me, than anyone else, but she's still dangerous."

Hagrid looked disappointed but nodded. He looked a child who'd been told Christmas had been cancelled.

"Anyway, Dobby's grave is this way," Harry prompted, stepping back and turning towards the edge of the forest.

"I placed some flowers this mornin', Harry," Hagrid informed them.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry smiled, and led the way. They arrived at the grave and Lucius stood at the foot of the grave, staring down at the child sized grave.

Lucius took out his wand and conjured his flowers, daisies, but didn't place them on the grave immediately. He took off his cloak and folded it neatly until it was the size of a handkerchief and cleared his throat before calling out, "Simmy!"

Immediately there was a pop and a female house elf appeared. She bowed to Lucius and asked in the high squeaky voice that Lucius' elves seemed to possess, "What can Simmy be doing for Master, sir?"

"Simmy, I'm afraid there's something I need to tell you. I broke a promise I made to you, Simmy."

"Master?"

"I promised you that I would give you and Dobby permission to have your own family, and your freedom, remember?" Lucius said in a soft voice.

"Yes Master," the elf said slowly.

Lucius didn't say anything but instead turn to look at Dobby's gravestone.

"Dobby – Dobby's gone, Simmy. I apologise, for not keeping my promise to you," Lucius said with true regret.

The elf's huge eyes watered and trembled and for a second Severus was afraid that the creature would start bawling her eyes out and start thrashing on the ground. He couldn't handle the scene, it was too much drama for him. However, the house-elf managed to contain herself.

"It's not being your fault, Master. You is not breaking a promise," the house elf said tremulously.

"I wish to give you your freedom if that is what you want still," Lucius offered up his folded cloak. "It may not be with Dobby, but you could still start a new life somewhere. Away from here. Where you could be safer."

Simmy looked at the proffered cloak. Harry and Longbottom were silent as they watched.

"I is not wanting freedom, Master. I is wanting to work. Dobby was already free to help protect Harry Potter sir, like yous wanted. But Dobby was deciding that Dobby would come back to Master. And Dobby and Simmy would serve Master and start our family, if Master allowed it."

Lucius nodded and lowered the cloak.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Master. The other elves be feeling the same Master. We is not wanting to leave."

Lucius handed over the flowers, instead of the cloak and said, "Thank you for your service, Simmy. Stay at the Manor. Keep it in lockdown. Narcissa, Draco and I won't be returning yet."

"Yes, Master," Simmy said, taking the daisies she bowed and gently laid it over the grave. "Will yous be bringing Dobby back, Master?"

Lucius looked to Harry and explained, "We have space on the grounds of the Manor, to bury our elves. Would you mind if we moved Dobby to be closer to Simmy? I don't mean today though. At some point."

Harry nodded, clearly moved.

"As long as you don't mind me visiting," Harry answered.

"Dobby always talked about yous, Master Harry Potter. Dobby –" The house elf seemed to be losing her calm and couldn't finish her sentence.

"Dobby was a good friend," Harry said softly.

"Harry Potter was good friend to Dobby as well," Simmy nodded. "May I be leaving, master?"

Lucius gave his permission. Once she disappeared he shook out his cloak, and instead of draping it over himself, he laid it carefully over Dobby's grave and conjured enough daisies to weigh it down.

"I'll miss you Dobby. I'm going to have to train someone else to find my summer robes now," Lucius said quietly.

Longbottom snorted. Harry looked at his friend and smiled.

"That's right, Malfoy. Nice priorities," Harry joked. It was all forced.

Severus felt left out. They'd gone from enemies to this. They had friendly banter despite everything that had happened between them.

Lucius shrugged.

"He was a good elf. I regret how his life ended. I shouldn't have involved him," Lucius said ruefully.

He looked towards Hagrid who'd stayed with the dragon, another completely different look settling on his features as he watched the Groundskeeper.

"If you explain everything to him, he'll understand and forgive you," Harry said softly, following Lucius' gaze.

"I sent him to Azkaban, Harry. It might not have been my intention when I came down with Fudge that time, but it still happened. I have a hard time forgiving myself for submitting an innocent wizard to time in that place. He truly didn't deserve and suffered for it."

Severus had a hard time reconciling this version of Lucius. The Lucius he'd known since his school days was hard and unforgiving. Entitled and superior. How had he been so wrong in judging his friend? He was supposed to be a spy. He was supposed to notice these things. Glancing guiltily at Harry, Severus realised he'd misjudged so much. He'd been so blind to so many things.

"Let's get back inside," Lucius suggested, eventually. "I have a wife I need to placate. I've wagered my wand to Severus that I'll be back sharing a bed with her tonight."

They headed back to the castle.

"Is that so?" Harry questioned.

"Don't you dare interfere, Potter," Lucius warned, sensing a tone. "I'm already in the peacock house. If you start stirring the cauldron then I might end up having to sleep with the damn things."

"Peacock house?"

"I have several peacocks at the Manor," Lucius said negligently.

"Weird," Longbottom commented.

"I don't care. I don't need you two making things worse," Lucius threatened.

"Okay," Harry shrugged.

"I mean it."

"Okay," Harry repeated.

Lucius did not look like he believed him but did not comment further.

"Are you staying in the castle tonight?"

"I need to speak with the Headmaster. Now, that we are all together, it is best that we stay as close as possible. I never knew Narcissa was pregnant, but I will not be leaving her alone now that I do know. It will make her feel better that she is closer to Draco as well. We will stay at the castle once I have spoken to the Headmaster, not that he can deny me. And then we will move to Hogsmeade in the morning. We have much to do," Lucius explained.

"That we do, Lucius," Harry sighed. "And we're glad you're all right. Not that it might be any use to you, but if you need help calming down Narcissa, then I'll try to help."

"If that offer's genuine then there is something you could both help with," Lucius smiled.

They stopped at the Courtyard.

"Go on," Longbottom prompted.

Severus listened in confused amusement to Lucius' scheme to win his wife over. It was typical Lucius. Good luck to him though. He did have his work cut out for him; Narcissa was a Slytherin also and would recognise the manipulation straight away. Which was probably why Lucius' plan was so convoluted.

With the rest of the residents of the castle distracted by the deaths of some of the other students, this had been a good opportunity to slip away with his camera. He snuck to the seventh floor with his camera in hand, he paced in the corridor back and forth until the door appeared for him. It had been Montague who had first mentioned the Vanishing Cabinet and his struggles to escape from it. He had heard voices from the other side whilst he'd been stuck. It had taken ages for them to piece together the true purpose of the Vanishing Cabinet and where the matching set had been held.

It had been previously been held in Borgin and Burkes but had already been removed from there.

The Dark Lord did not know about it yet, nor that some of his loyal Death Eaters were trying to fix it. All they knew was that the Dark Lord wanted to gain entrance to the school, wanted to get inside.

He thought it was to get inside the Chamber of Secrets. The Dark Lord was probably angry that the Chamber of Slytherin was getting desecrated by allowing mudbloods and blood traitors trampling inside all the time.

He and his companions would fix the Vanishing Cabinet inside the school. And once it was done, they would present it to the Dark Lord. Their Lord would use it to invade the school and rid them all of the mudbloods forever. It would be better that the Dark Lord did not know yet. They did not yet know how long it would be before it could get fixed. The Dark Lord punished failure and rewarded those who performed well.

First, though, he took some pictures of the Cabinet. From all angles, outside and inside, being careful not to get himself locked in there like Montague. The Cabinet was old and had many unknown spells and enchantments. They needed to be identified and the extent of the damage needed to be catalogued before they could even begin to fix it. He could not do it by himself and he could not remove the Cabinet from here. It was too noticeable. He needed guidance on how to do this. The pictures would help identify the damage and then his companions outside the school would be able to send him instructions on how to repair it.

He would get his reward, though he would have to share the accolades with the others. Yes, the Dark Lord would not know yet. If he did not know of their failure, then they could not be punished.

Narcissa woke up the next morning with a sigh. An arm was protectively cradling her swollen belly and Lucius pressed his naked body against her equally naked form. She was still angry at Lucius, but when Lucius turned on his charm, she felt she was unable to resist. He knew exactly how to seduce her and even though she had willingly given in last night. Knowing it was pointless to resist him, she had melted against him, happy to feel his protective arms around her once more. Narcissa had no doubt that Lucius had had some elaborate plan to win her over. The truth was that she had missed him desperately and had thought him gone forever. She had thought she would be alone, looking after Draco, who was lost, and her unborn child. Narcissa was by no means a damsel, needing to be rescued, but Lucius' presence was solid, and until recently, constant. Even these past 16 years or so when he had been planning for the arrival of his family from a former life, he always considered her and Draco.

Narcissa would have survived by herself; she would have done it. Her family was all that mattered to her and she would protect them no matter what. Though, if she had to admit, she was glad that she had reconnected with Andromeda again after so many years. And her cousin Sirius, though she much preferred Regulus.

Narcissa may have allowed Lucius to seduce her body, but her mind was still her own and she was still angry at him but even that was fading in the face of relief knowing she was no longer alone. Lucius groaned in protest as she made to move, to leave the bed. His arm tightened around her. His hard body pressed, if that was possible given that there was no room at all between her, even closer against him. She felt his arousal against her buttocks and could not resist a smile. She loved that she turned him on so. Not many people would believe it, but Lucius was affectionate. In public they certainly acted aloof, but in private Lucius was completely different and used any excuse to touch her, to turn her on, to bend her to his will, and make love to her whenever and wherever took his fancy. They had scandalised many a family portrait, especially earlier on in their marriage. And after Draco was born, Lucius was even more illicit in his coupling. They snuck around like teenagers when Draco was home from school and Lucius shoved away all her protests with ease.

Yes, she was glad Lucius was back. But she was still angry at him. For now, though, she allowed him to love her and he did. Tenderly, carefully he pleasured her as he had last night, smirking, and smiling as he made her scream with want, the way only Lucius could. Then gently he drew on top of him, so that he could slip inside her, impaling her on her his hardness, letting her set the pace as he fondled her full breasts, plucking one swollen nipple into his waiting mouth.

"Lucius," she sighed, as she sagged against him, burying her face in his shoulder as he held her, whilst she rode the waves of pleasure to completion, feeling him spill inside her also.

He kissed her shoulder, pushing back strands of her blond hair as the sweat cooled between them.

Eventually, she pushed away from him, ignoring his satisfied grin and made her way, naked into the bathroom connected to their room.

He reluctantly got up and walked in after her and silently joined her in the bath and she allowed him to cater to her once again, as he helped her bathe, touching her intimately all the while.

"I missed you," he said simply as he held her body against his as they settled in the bath.

Narcissa leaned back against him, the bubbles in the bath covering their nakedness.

"I missed you too," she admitted.

"I came back as soon as I could," he told her.

Narcissa let her hand drift to his left thigh. The scar, which he had got from the acromantula piercing his leg would never fade. Apparently, it was not as bad as it once was, but suffering from magical exhaustion, it had been slow to heal. And by the time Xander and Corbin had found him, it was too late, even with several applications of dittany, to try to diminish the scar. Considering how close the giant spider had been to taking off his leg completely, Lucius was lucky to get away with a scar, otherwise he may have had a permanent limp.

Lucius has explained everything to her and Draco last night. Killian had sacrificed herself to save them all, and once she realised Lucius was still left behind, she had done everything she could to protect him from the blast. Drawing on her last remaining bit of magic and on Lucius', she had shielded him and but was unable to fling him away from the blast. Instead, everything had collapsed around him and it was Xander who found him, many days later, barely alive. Lucius had fallen into a magical coma whilst his body and magic healed for months. With a little help from Perenelle Flamel, they had managed to nurse him back to health, but it was risky to use magic, so it had to be the slow way, the muggle way.

"Perenelle Flamel recommended this woman doctor, a muggle who was married to a wizard, and thus aware of the wizarding world," Lucius told them last night. "She nursed me back to health. By the time I had woke many months had passed."

Narcissa had listened with worry and disbelief. Lucius was not actually as anti-Muggle as he led people to believe. In fact, they owned many Muggle properties, and that was where she and Draco had hidden when they'd fled Manor. After all, who would believe that Draco, a stuck-up pureblood prince, and Narcissa, beloved daughter of the Black family, would deign to live in a Muggle house, in a Muggle neighbour and no sign of magic. Yet, still, that Lucius had allowed himself to be treated the Muggle way, after what had happened in Paris – her mind shied away from the thought – she repressed a shudder, how barbaric.

"Are we having a boy or a girl?" he asked, nuzzling her neck, his lips on her skin sending tingles down her spine.

Narcissa tried to remain untouched, tried to hold on to her anger, but Lucius was making it difficult when he kept kissing her like that. That was his nefarious plan. He would wear her down like this, one kiss at a time.

She closed her eyes, trying to steel herself against his onslaught. "I didn't ask. I just wanted to know that my baby would be healthy."

Narcissa felt Lucius tense. He was angry at Bella. Bella and Lucius had never liked each other. Narcissa had mourned for her sister decades ago. She had loved Bella once; had looked up to her. But she had seen her slow descent into madness, first after her marriage to Rudolphus and then during her service to Voldemort. Azkaban had taken what sanity was left. Bellatrix placed her precious Dark Lord above all else; if she were capable of it Narcissa would name it love. However, neither Bellatrix, nor the Dark Lord understood the meaning of the word, never mind the emotion. Bellatrix had the Black madness in her. Narcissa felt she only escaped the madness as she had Lucius as her anchor, and her beloved son Draco. Andromeda probably felt the same with her husband Ted and their daughter Nymphadora. She laid a protective hand over her belly. She would protect her children. Both, she thought fiercely.

"What did she do?"

Narcissa shied away from telling him. Not because she was protecting Bella, heavens no. Nor was she afraid that Lucius would hunt the witch down. Lucius did not rise to anger like that. His revenge would be cold. He would not seek Bella out; but the next time they met it would be a vicious battle.

"Crucio."

For herself, she would have endured the pain. But what had made her panic even more what that her unborn baby had been subjected to it as well. She had been so afraid that she would lose her son or daughter before she would even get a chance to hold them.

Lucius' arms tightened around her protectively. She felt his heart racing against her back.

"I'll not let her harm you again," he promised.

Narcissa believed him, or at least believed he would try. Bella was simply unpredictable, and completely dangerous when she was angry. It was because she fought like she had nothing to lose.

"Are you and the baby okay?" he asked.

Narcissa nodded against his chest.

"It was awfully close for a while. The Healers were not sure. Told us we were lucky." She held back her tears. She would not cry. "Sirius and Andromeda… and Molly were incredibly good to me, looked after me and Draco whilst we stayed there. If it had not been for Harry. And Dobby. They saved me, Lucius."

Lucius dropped a kiss on top of her head.

"I'm here now," he vowed.

Lucius took care of her. They finished bathing together and Lucius carried her to the bed and dried her off. She wrapped a robe around herself whilst Lucius only had a towel around his waist. He parted her robes to reveal her bump when she gasped and told him, "The baby's kicking."

He smiled; his expression arrested by the sight of the baby's tiny foot stretching her flesh. He placed his palm over the area where the baby kicked and then kneeling in front of her, he pushed her onto the bed as he kissed her belly, the baby's foot kicking his mouth. She leaned back a little awkwardly, and her bathrobe loosening, barely covering her breasts.

That was the position they were in, with Lucius' head low and Narcissa stretched backwards when there was a quiet knock on the door and whoever it was entered without waiting for a reply.

Lucius stood up quickly, irritated, and covered up her body with the robe to preserve her modesty. His own towel loosened in the process and fell as he straightened. His erection was clear for whoever it was to see, and Narcissa heard a squeal and a screeched apology before the door slammed behind them.

Narcissa stood up as Lucius turned back to her.

"Who was it?" she asked. She had not been able to see.

"Granger," Lucius replied tersely, glaring at the door where the poor girl had run out.

"Hermione?" Narcissa blinked. Why would she come to them? Narcissa had expected Minerva maybe. Or perhaps even Luna or Harry.

Narcissa suppressed her smile.

"Well, she certainly got an eyeful," Narcissa said, as they looked down at Lucius' proud erection.

Lucius' glare turned into a smug smirk.

"That she did." He gave her a hopeful smile.

Narcissa gave him a look.

"Go get the clothes she dropped, husband," she ordered archly. She had spotted them as she turned towards the door.

Lucius bent to pick up his fallen towel and threw it without care onto the bed and padded naked to the pile of dropped clothes, shaking them out. Narcissa admired his firm arse before hastily adjusting her expression when he came back to her with some fresh clothes for them to slip into.

Narcissa felt sorry for the poor girl. Lucius was a fine specimen to behold in all his glory. He may have been annoyed at the intrusion, but Narcissa knew that Hermione Granger would never be allowed to forget her untimely interruption of a private moment. They may not have been making love, as it probably would have seemed to someone innocently walking in on them. But Lucius never showed his sensitive side to anyone and he would never forgive the girl for it either. Indeed, Narcissa did feel sorry for the muggleborn witch.

Hello my lovely readers. Thanks for being patient as I know it's been a good while since I've posted.

I have got a few chapters lined up after this, but editing their contents and rejigging some of the events will be difficult and time-consuming.

Thank you to you all who have been waiting patiently for my next chapter and I'm hoping finish this story soon. Between work obligations and family obligations and lockdown and real life in general time is short but I aim to post a new chapter every 3-4 weeks.

Stay safe and be kind,

LC