You're Still The One
Part Eight: Sympathy For The Devil

My very first Lucius/Narcissa story. Enjoy!

rating: PG/13 or (possibly) R for sexual situations

genre: romance/drama

summary: The story of Narcissa Malfoy: life, school, friendship, and the most important of all...love.

I'm so, so sorry it took so long for this chapter! But it's worth it...read on... :)

  ...

Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint

  ...

April second came too soon for Narcissa. It meant her birthday, as well as the Easter holidays. Narcissa was heading out to Hogsmeade Station with her classmates when she noticed Lucius, talking quietly to Severus Snape. Severus placed a hand on the inside of his left arm and winced. Lucius nodded to him, before looking around. When he saw Narcissa, he strode over to her. "Hello, Narcissa," his voice was overly pleasant.

Narcissa lifted her chin and looked Lucius in the eyes, her blue-grey eyes holding an expression of great dislike. "Don't bother being nice to me, Malfoy," she said coolly, waving her wand at her trunk. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The trunk floated in midair before following Narcissa out the door.

"Narcissa!" Lucius snarled, storming after her. "You're coming with me! We're spending the holidays together."

"Oh wonderful! Just wonderful!" snapped Narcissa, spinning around to face him. Her eyes narrowed as she scowled. "I hate you, Lucius. I just want you to know that. I'd rather spend the holiday with Sirius and those awful Potters than you!" Lucius gritted his teeth before latching onto her wrist.

"You're coming with me, Narcissa!"

"Fine!" shrieked Narcissa. "Let go of me, you horrible prat!" She stormed off towards Lucius's carriage that was waiting by the front gates.

Lucius and Narcissa traveled to Malfoy Manor in stony silence, Narcissa throwing him looks of deepest loathing every so often. When they arrived, Narcissa locked herself in the bedroom Lucius had showed her to and flopped onto the bed, tears trickling down her cheeks.

The next morning, Lucius sat alone at the breakfast table, staring moodily into space. "Hello, Lucius," Narcissa's icy voice rang from across the room. She settled herself at the table and pulled a plate of toast towards herself.

"You're talking to me, eh?" He glared at her, taking a bite out of his own piece of toast.

"Yes," Narcissa replied coolly, nibbling the edge of a piece of toast.

"Well...I have a very important meeting I have to go to today. I need you to come with me." There was an urgency in his voice Narcissa had never heard.

Narcissa opened her mouth to make a smart reply, but decided not to. "Fine. I'll go."

An hour later, Narcissa had wrapped her traveling cloak tightly around herself and was waiting for a Portkey because Lucius had already Apparated. "3...2...1..." Narcissa murmured to herself. There was a jerk behind her navel and she was flying through a howl of color and wind. When it ended, she was standing upright in front of Lucius, who was bowing to someone.

"Is this your bride-to-be, Lucius?" A cold voice spoke from in front of Lucius.

Narcissa gasped as her gaze landed on a tall man wearing black robes, his crimson eyes narrowed.

Lucius frowned at Narcissa. "Yes, My Lord. This is Narcissa Black." He took Narcissa's hand and hissed in her ear 'Bow!'

Narcissa, still gazing at the man in amazement, bowed slightly.

A look of recognition passed over the man's face as he gazed at her. "Bella's sister?"

"Narcissa?!" A voice called to her from across the room. Bellatrix was hurrying toward her, along with Rodolphus, looking extremely pleased. "Are you joining us, Narcissa?"

"No, Bellatrix. She will not join. She will raise an heir for me." Lucius spoke firmly to Bellatrix.

Narcissa's eyes widened. "An heir? I don't even want to marry you, never mind bear your child!" Her eyes flashed as Lucius grabbed her by the arm.

"Not here, Narcissa!" snapped Lucius.

"Don't touch my sister like that!" snarled Bellatrix, whipping out her wand.

"Leave the girl alone, all of you," hissed the man with the scarlet eyes. He turned to Narcissa, ignoring the others. "I haven't introduced myself, have I? I am Lord Voldemort. These are my Death Eaters," he gestured to the men and women gathered around them now. "And together we will rid the world of Muggles and Muggle-borns."

"Are you really?" Narcissa raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. "Well, I'll contribute whatever I can to your cause...My Lord."

Lucius and Bellatrix both looked very pleased. "Well, we must be getting off, Narcissa. We have matters we need to discuss." He bowed to Lord Voldemort again. "My Lord," he murmured. They both took the Portkey back to Malfoy Manor in a howl of wind.

Narcissa and Lucius sat in armchairs in the parlor at Malfoy Manor opposite each other. Lucius looked into Narcissa's eyes, an expression flickering there she had never seen before. "First of all Narcissa...I need to know now. Do you love me?"

Narcissa gaped at him silently. "N-n-o..." Tears began to swim in her eyes. "Excuse me," she whispered. She leapt to her feet and fled from the house crying, leaving a mystified Lucius behind.

She ran into the garden and curled up on a bench. The sweet smell of roses filled the air. Sobs shook Narcissa's thin shoulders. She loved him, but she hated him. He had caused her so much pain, but when she saw him, her heart burst with joy and affection. How could someone cause so much heartache and happiness at the same time?

"She'll grow to love me...in time..." Lucius ran a hand through his sleek blonde hair, pacing in the parlor. He could see Narcissa sitting on a garden bench from the window, her wavy blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders. He felt such a powerful feeling when he was with her. Lucius had loved only one person in his life: his mother. Now he had Narcissa. And he knew he loved her, even though he had caused her pain. Maybe too much pain for the scars to heal. But time heals all wounds, doesn't it?

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