"My god..." Narcissa Malfoy gripped heavily onto the top bannister of the large staircase in grand estate she shared with the Malfoy heir apparent. The atrium below swam in and out of focus, but the dizziness passed as soon as it had begun.

"Dobby..." She murmured, focusing on the floor instead of the manor's entrance, "DOBBY!"

A popping noise from less than two feet to her left signaled the house-elf's arrival.

"Yes, Missus! Dobby is here! What does Missus need?"

"Dobby-" Narcissa turned pale and the elf squeaked.

"Missus is not well..." He tugged at her long, slimming black robes, urging the lady to return to her chambers.

"No!... No.." Missus Malfoy waived his request aside. "I am going downstairs. It is too warm in the upper rooms. Please, find Lucius."

Dobby bit his lip, shifting his gaze from side to side nervously.

"But-but Master is at work. Master would not take kindly to being-"

"Just find him!" Narcissa raised her voice with a threatening glare.

"Yes Missus, Dobby will fetch Master!"

With a frantic pop, Dobby was gone and the lady Malfoy continued down the stairs to the main atrium. She had been feeling ill off and on for the past couple of weeks, but this particular day had pulled at her last strings of tolerance, especially when she realized that any sickness remedies she previously used had ceased to be effective.


"Good day, Minister," Lucius Malfoy stood to escort the Minister of Magic out of his office after a reasonably pleasant meeting. Lucius had just managed to push an extra law through that concerned the security measures taken while hiring werewolves and goblins. He despised both and with his affluence, made sure that the already-difficult barriers for employment were tightened ever-further.

"Well, one less petty bit of dust on my shoulder..." He smirked to himself. "Oh Fudge, you really are so very foolish..."

But there was hardly time for Malfoy to revel in his victory, for Dobby arrived in his office, on his table, no less, with a loud pop.

"Bloody-" Lucius leapt out of his chair and wrenched the elf by his right ear.

"Master!" Dobby squeaked in pain.

"What are you doing here?! I am at work!"

"Master please!" Dobby inhaled, trying to grasp at his ear. "Missus needs Master home! Missus is unwell!" The elf half-announced, pleading with Lucius to release him. "Please, Master! I is meaning no trouble... Master!"

Lucius remained cold, but slowly released the elf and set him on the table, where the creature pathetically rubbed his tender ear.

"Narcissa is ill?" Lucius asked curtly.

"Missus wants Master home; Missus is unwell!" The elf repeated.

Lucius glared, pursing his lips.

"You had better not be overreacting about something stupid... Get out!" He flicked his hand.

"Yes-"

"Out!"


Narcissa had settled onto a large couch, facing one of the gutter windows of the entrance hall, wrapped in a thick blanket as she waited for the return of either the elf or her husband.

A popping noise nearby signaled that Dobby had arrived home first, and another loud 'crack' announced that Lucius was only momentary in following.

"Missus!" Dobby hurried across the large room to Narcissa's side.

The elf's shrill voice pierced her ears and Narcissa turned away.

"Dobby!" Lucius' voice rang through the manner, causing even more of a stir. "Dobby!"

"Master, she is here," Debby called, pulling fretfully at his face.

No sooner had the words left the elf than Lucius appeared in the room, striding quickly toward his wife.

"Narcissa?" He addressed her, keeping his tone even, hoping inwardly that she did not notice the concern in his eyes.

"Master-"

"Get out!" Lucius hissed.

Dobby trembled and popped out of sight.

"Lucius, stop," Narcissa finally spoke. "Please, all of this noise and ruckus. Stop."

"Cissa," Lucius frowned.

"I'm so sorry, Lucius. This shouldn't be a problem," the lady frowned, hanging her head in embarrassment.

"Is it?" Her husband asked, tilting her head upward while he studied her expression.

"I don't know... it shouldn't be. But it's not going to get any better-"

"Cissa, you must see a Healer," Lucius implored, resting a hand on his wife's shoulder. "You've been sick for weeks-"

"No!" Narcissa pulled away with a fierce, determinedly angry look in her blue eyes, jaw set in a scowl. "I will not have them examining me like some poor creature, thinking they know what's best for my child!"

"Narcissa! You cannot-" Lucius paused. "Your child...?"

"Yes!" The lady cried. "My child! I don't want those things harming my child!"

"You're pregnant?" Lucius cut in, still trying to comprehend the sudden turn his life was about to take.

"Well, none of the nausea remedies are working." Narcissa huffed.

"Oh, you are a charming one," Lucius smirked, taking his wife's hands in his. "My dear, stop."

Narcissa recanted and looked reluctantly up at her husband.

"I'm so... everywhere," she sighed. "One moment I'm fine, and the next, I can't string a single thought together. Do you know, Lucius, I was walking the manor grounds the other day and the mere song of a robin got me all worked up?" Narcissa asked with a dry smile. "It's utter madness."

Lucius laughed out loud, smiling at the lady's emotional tribulations.

"I am sure we can handle a few soddy moments," he spoke, gently brushing her soft blond hair from her face.

"So you're not upset that I called you?" Narcissa finally asked in a small voice.

"No," Lucius shook his head. "I would have been finished soon, and the last meeting with the Minister went exceedingly well." He smirked. "Now," Lucius continued, pulling his wife gently to his chest. "I shall have the remainder of the day with you."

"Yes, well, send the elf on an errand. I don't want him intruding on our time." Narcissa answered with a sniff.

Lucius grinned, kissing the side of her face.

"As you wish, milady."