A frown marred Lucius Malfoy's natural beauty for an instant as he unfolded the slip of parchment which had just arrived, embossed with the Malfoy seal and neatly presented in a green ribbon. He was not expecting any letter since he had just sent back the weekly letter just this morning. It had to be urgent. He hoped it was not anything else that would cause him a headache. The letter on the impending Dark Mark ceremony had served well enough to make him worry.

He had worried about many things. About Remus, their relationship, their happiness and mostly Remus' life. If his parents got wind that their only son was in a relationship with a Gryffindor who happened also to be a werewolf, Remus would definitely be murdered. Yes, Lucius knew even though Remus hadn't told him, Snape had mentioned it to him casually one day.

Lucius Malfoy now unrolled the parchment and inhaled sharply.

******************************

Lucius,

You are engaged to Narcissa Black. You will find that I have chosen your wife carefully. She compliments you perfectly, in terms of looks, status and she is a pureblood with centuries of pureblood ancestors. Your marriage will take place a month after your entrance into our Lord's circle, giving you ample time to adjust to the demands.

I trust you will not defy me, Father

******************************

*Not defy me*

*Engaged to Narcissa Black*

*Compliments you perfectly*

Lucius Malfoy suddenly felt that the wind had been knocked out of him. Marry Narcissa Black? That was a shocking piece of news indeed. He felt very inclined to go to the nearest cliff and just jump off. Marrying Narcissa Black had to be a piece of bad luck indeed. What was all the nonsense about complimenting him perfectly? Talk about assumptions, Lucius felt like tearing the parchment.

Narcissa Black could never compliment him at all, let alone perfectly. She was cold as ice and despite her obvious attractiveness, she was this snobbish, taller, spoilt girl. Not to mention she was a few months his senior. In fact, she was the oldest in the batch of seventh-years!

In terms of complimenting, Remus was definitely the best.

Remus was younger while Lucius was older, making it perfect for Lucius to protect the other boy. Meanwhile, Remus was vulnerable while Lucius was domineering. And the beauty Remus had about him was of warmth and sunshine- like whereas Lucius had a forbidding, icy aura hanging about him. Remus was innocent, Lucius knew definitely a lot more than him.

'This-is-impossible,' Lucius gritted his teeth and spat while he stuffed the note away. He flung the ribbon on the floor in anger and snarled.

Should he tell Remus?

No, better not let his precious Gryffindor worry and get upset. He would deal with it and hopefully end up canceling the marriage.

**********************************

'Is there anything - anything remotely disturbing you?' Remus had voiced his worry.

They had been kissing. The kiss had been deepening, Remus' slender fingers had tangled with Lucius' long, blond hair as Lucius nudged him up against the wall in the shadow of the Astronomy Tower. The night was cool, the wind was not exactly merciful that night but the heat of their passion and desire balanced the temperatures perfectly.

Lucius gave Remus a sharp, appraising look before lying, 'No,' Lucius Malfoy had always prided himself on lying, his face could not betray him, but his eyes did. A fleeting look of sadness and worry mixed with the grey in his eyes, Remus knew he was being lied to, and pressed, 'You are lying,'

Lucius looked slightly unsettled for a second then admitted forthrightly, 'Yes, there is something bothering me. . .but I can cope with it, don't you worry,' he left no time for protesting as he leaned in again, capturing the sweet, yielding lips in his. It wouldn't do to get the both of them flustered and worried. He would settle it, by hook or by crook.

********************************

Lucius Malfoy whispered the password to unlock his private bedroom after having walked Remus back to the Gryffindor tower.

'What are you doing here?' Lucius was surprised and angry with the intruder lying on his bed, draped in a seductive fashion but Lucius made his voice as impassive as possible. He favored Narcissa Black with a cold, harsh glare as he made his way to the bed. She rolled a bit, giving him full view of the bare skin.

Her blonde hair was cascading down her back like a waterfall, her cold eyes now were seductive and slightly suggestive and her lips were curved into an evidently seducing smile as she stretched out a hand to invite him near her.

Granted, a few months ago Lucius would have allowed her to stay but he was emotionless now. He merely glanced at her and then said as cuttingly as possible, 'I thank you for gracing my bed with your presence but I'd rather you get out of my room now,' the last few words were snarled with the threat of a young serpent. He had learnt cold sarcasm mixed with insult concocted specially to humiliate from young and used it often.

She changed dramatically. The seductive young vixen on his bed was replaced by an angry feline. She narrowed her eyes swiftly, anger and humiliation clearly evident, and got off the bed, but her perfume smell lingered and Lucius deliberately wrinkled his nose in aristocratic disgust as she neared him. She took no notice of his obvious show of great distaste as she used her fingers to tilt his face towards her.

'I want you to know that I will get you back for that humiliation,' she hissed menacingly before side-stepping him gracefully and leaving the room.

******************************

Apparently future wife or not, Narcissa was intent on possessing him. She might as well have swapped places with him, so that he could be the fair maiden fleeing from a possessive future fiancé, Lucius' mouth twisted humorlessly as he recalled the incidents so far.

She had slapped Gina Parkinson was apparent 'flirting' with Lucius although Gina denied and Lucius plainly told her that he thought she was slightly psycho and that either she laid off him or he was really going to embarrass her publicly. Worse still, Narcissa had taken to sitting with Lucius at every class she could. She bribed the other boys to leave the seat free and Lucius really felt driven up the wall.

Yet, as Lucius noted involuntarily, she seemed to be exceptionally good mood today. He was intelligent enough to realise that the only time she would ever be happy was when she found a way to get back to him and he was no fool in realising by what means was she having an advantage in this battle. He shuddered inwardly now for she was walking towards him, evidently to speak to him.

'Lucius, dear, are you excited about our marriage?' the question was sarcastic, it was an opening line to her evilness and Lucius found no reason to please her by answering. He merely ignored her and went on writing his Transfiguration essay. He felt her scowl in annoyance then she forcefully knocked the parchment out of his hands.

Lucius got up. He snarled heatedly at her.

'That's a response. . .now, remember when I said I'd pay you back?'

Lucius knew he was trembling by now. He trembled with fury and fear for Remus as he nodded curtly.

'Tell me, how do you think a certain little Gryffindor will feel *if he hears of our engagement* ?' her words, innocent in their way were like a blossoming rose, though beautiful held danger with its thorns. Lucius found himself stunned by how spiteful this girl could be just to possess him.

'If you try - ' Lucius' voice implied threat although both Narcissa and him knew that Lucius could never stop Narcissa.

'Then break off the relationship and be a good little boy,' Narcissa interrupted him triumphantly. He could see the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

'Nobody threatens a Malfoy,' Lucius sneered in a very convincing manner, only Narcissa was not at the least intimidated by him for she was not only older but she was equally crafty and cruel. In time, Lucius would learn to be even more ruthless than his wife so that he could control her level of damage and hurt her pride often. Malfoys always learnt from the best, only the best, and Lucius would learn from his wife and Lord Voldemort.

'Wrong, a Malfoy can be threatened by means of destroying the thing he loves most,' Narcissa smiled sardonically and whispered. Her breath was cold and sliced the air with the malice in it. Lucius was outraged yet he knew he had better behave for she might really go about telling Remus of their engagement.

'You've never been abysmal before. And I trust you have enough intelligence to tell what will happen to him if you disobey my wishes,' she mockingly smiled and dropped a kiss on his forehead like one would do with a child. She dared to mock him, to retort. No-one would dare to do that to Lucius Malfoy but she dared. . .why? Because she knew where his one and only weakness lay in - his lover.

**********************************

Lucius turned in the bed. He could not sleep and he had a very good reason for that. He had to choose between Remus' safety and Narcissa's ruthlessness. The choice was obvious. While Remus might be hurt badly by Lucius' apparent lack of interest in him, he would be safe and Lucius need not worry day and night about the boy's safety. Whereas if Remus remained by Lucius, Lucius had no doubt that Narcissa's cruelty would manifest itself in different and fatal ways.

Remus' safety came first, no matter what. He would break off the relationship and severe all ties with the boy, only for his lover's safety. Nothing else mattered.

**********************************

'Severus, come,' Lucius beckoned the fourth-year to his side in the common room at night. He watched as the black-haired boy approached, curiosity evident. He glanced at the book Severus had been carrying. As expected, it was a Potions text. Severus either read Potions or Dark Arts texts. But that was beside the point. Lucius had a job for him to do.

'Severus, I want you to tell him to meet me tonight at midnight in the previous meeting place, he knows where it is,' Lucius lowered his voice so that only Severus could hear. By saying *him*, both Lucius and Severus shared a mutual understanding that it referred to Remus Lupin. 'Not a word to her,' Lucius added hastily as he had spotted Narcissa entering the room. 'Do you understand this text now?'

Severus was quick on the uptake, 'Thanks for your help, Lucius. I figure I understand this text better now,' he said loud enough to placid Narcissa's suspiciousness.

**********************

'Hell, what is this for?' Remus muttered to Severus when the latter approached and shoved him to a corner of the room.

'Lucius says for you to meet him tonight, midnight, at your previous meeting place. It's urgent,' the last sentence was added for better measure. Then, Severus Snape straightened up and returned to his cauldron which was shimmering perfectly, making the Potions Master nod approvingly and add ten points to Slytherin. For once, Remus wasn't angered at the addition of points.

**********************

11:58PM

Remus trekked his way to the meeting place. He spotted Lucius immediately. Lucius' silver-blonde hair was tied to the back and he looked wan and tired out. As soon as Lucius heard him, Lucius' head jerked up and he stood up straight from where he had been leaning against the wall. Remus waited for Lucius to speak.

At last, Lucius walked closer. As soon as he was close enough, Lucius raised a hand and gently brushed it against Remus' cheek in the sad, affectionate manner he often used nowadays. His lips were set in a bitter smile as he took in the sight of his lover. This would be the last time they met as lovers. After tonight, he shall hate me forever, Lucius vowed as he let his hand drop to his side.

'I am engaged,' he articulated, softly yet clearly.

Lucius felt as though a thousand Crucios were being use on him at that very moment. He watched mutely as Remus' lips quivered, very much like a child. He watched as Remus' eyes reflected disbelief, pain, shock and bitter sadness but never once was there the required hatred. Lucius wanted the boy to hate him, to hate him enough to want to break off the relationship also.

'I see,' Remus said slowly, his voice was trembling, he felt like crying. Why did every single unfortunate event happen on him? That was the most crucial answer he needed in his life. He had and would have many failed relationships because all the qualities he wanted in a lover were possessed by Lucius Malfoy. Only Lucius Malfoy. No-one could replace him.

'I'm sorry,' Lucius cursed himself for giving into the impulse to apologise and try to make Remus happier. He was supposed to be hurting Remus drastically - damnit - not hurt him and then bloody apologise. The truth was, Lucius loved Remus too much to want to hurt him. He would never love another like he had with Remus.

Remus bit his lip hard and as Lucius watched, blood began to trickle forth and create a little line moving down his lip, down his chin, to his neck and disappear into the folds of his clothes. Lucius saw the anguish in the younger boy's eyes. He saw the pearl-like tears form and trickle down Remus' cheek.

And Lucius Malfoy could not go on watching anymore without doing anything.

He drew Remus protectively in an embrace. He held the shaking body in his, and tenderly told him, 'It's not that I hate you or don't love you. It's that for your safety, I have to do this. I will forever love you. Being with Narcissa won't change my love for you. I won't ever love her. I love only you, married or not married. You will be mine forever, same as I will be yours,'

He could feel the younger boy crying.

'I have to go back. . .let me walk you back to your common room for one last time,' he gently led the other boy back.

They reached the common room soon. 'I love you,' Lucius whispered as he kissed the younger boy on the lips for one last time. As the boy turned unwillingly to go, Lucius pulled him back and quickly slid off the silver band around his right wrist, it had carved on its surface, Lucius' name. And Lucius gently slid it into the boy's wrist. It hung looser than ever.

'Do a tightening charm on it. I have another of that. You will forever be mine so long as you wear that and I shall be forever yours. Forever, I promise,' Lucius promised before turning to leave. He had to leave or his hidden tears would also flow, a river of his everlasting love.

*****************************

30 mins later

Lucius opened his trunk and found what he had been looking for. A silver band, exactly the same as the one he had just given Remus. Only one thing required changing. He held up his wand and tapped the band, ignoring the clinking noise, and muttered an incantation. He examined the band and smiled when he saw the words 'Remus John Lupin' carved, intricate as they were, on the silver band.

Then, Lucius slid the band on and kissed it gently. The only lasting memory of a bittersweet relationship which just ended.

**********************************

Hi guys,

Sorry for this late reply. Well, what are your opinions of this latest chapter?

Anyway, I have written three other slash pieces and hope that you guys can go and read it and review. They are all one-shot slash stories, written in the boredom of the holidays.

Love,

Ice And Fire Vanessa