(A/N)Okay- fourth chapter! Thanks so much to the nice people that review- I know I say this in like every update but please do review- it boosts my confidence as I am applying for creative writing and English teaching courses at Uni. Anyway please enjoy the story and REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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CHAPTER FOUR: You're Only Coming Through in Waves

Sirius shifted the frying pan a little and then placed it back down, watching in satisfaction as the bacon sizzled noisily. Molly had brought Remus home around an hour ago. His friend had been pale and shaking- his amber eyes wide and sad. Sirius had sent him upstairs with a cup of tea and Molly's instruction to get some sleep.

It had been a mistake taking him to Diagon Alley- there was always a chance that Malfoy would be there. He wanted to help Remus forget his painful past, not shove it back in his face.

Sighing he turned the temperature down and the bacon spat a little in protest. It was bacon sandwiches for dinner that night- Molly was watching Remus and Arthur wouldn't be back until late and so it was left to Sirius to make dinner, and Sirius's cooking skills weren't that great.

"Sirius, is dinner ready?" Molly shouted from up the stairs and Sirius heard a small creak as she moved across the landing to hear his answer.

"Nearly!" he shouted up- pushing his thick black hair out of his way as he moved to butter three soft white rolls. He was making one for Remus as well, after all the smaller man could do with some nourishment.

The butter spread smoothly, coating the soft bread in a golden-yellow. Putting the knife in the sink he turned off the gas and lifted the bacon into the rolls. Placing them on a tray he walked gingerly out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"Coming now!" he called out and Molly appeared at the door of the room Remus was staying in- holding it open as he entered. "Hey." He said as his blue eyes took in the pale figure huddled in blankets on the bed- messy honey and sliver hair spread about his shoulders.

Remus smiled wanly and sat up as Sirius placed the tray down on the bed. "Thank you." He said hoarsely. Molly smiled affectionately at him and sat down beside the bed, resuming her knitting. From what Sirius could see she was creating another jumper for Ron- or perhaps Remus, the giant yellow R could mean either.

Smiling, he handed Remus his bacon sandwich. The other man took it, nibbling cautiously at the edges.

"It's not poisoned." Sirius said gently, taking a large bite of his as if to reassure Remus. The amber eyed man laughed quietly and took a bigger bite- his large eyes never leaving Sirius's expressive face. "How are you feeling?" Sirius asked.

Remus closed his eyes slowly- as if in pain and then opened them again. "Okay." He answered in a small voice. Sirius nodded- not believing him at all. Sometime soon he was going to have to talk to Remus and he didn't want to leave it too late- he was afraid to.

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The bare light bulb on the ceiling flickered for a few moments- casting its pale yellow light in shadows about the room- before flashing angrily and then plunging the room into darkness.

There in the dark, on the black leather seat behind the empty desk sat Lucius Malfoy- his white-gold hair spilling over the dark wood of the desk as he rested his head in his slim hands. When the light bulb flickered out he made no movement, even when a slim brunette secretary poked her head into his office to remind him that the Ministry did close after six he simply sat there, his silver eyes closed. In all outer appearances he may as well have been dead.

As a matter of fact he was not dead- he was drunk. Around three empty bottles of Fire-whisky were carefully concealed in an otherwise empty desk, hidden in case Fudge ever decided to pay him a visit. Not that Fudge would be able to do anything about it- he was terrified of Lucius. He just didn't want the word getting around that he liked a lot of drink now and again, not now and again- but now and again and again and again.

Lucius let out a long-suffering groan as he drunkenly tried to swat away the image that seemed to be imprinted in front of his eyes. Staggering to his feet he accidentally knocked over the chair, "Fuck." He swore- looking groggily at the fallen object. Deciding that trying to pick it up would be too risky Lucius pulled on his cloak and stepped outside his office- preparing to take the Knight Bus home- after all he was in no state to either floo or apparate, Lord knows what would happen if he did.

By the time he had reached Malfoy Manor however he felt decidedly sick. The bumpy, jolting ride of the Knight Bus was not a good thing for someone who was heavily drunk. Sighing and clutching his stomach in a way that he would never allow himself to do had he been sober, he made his way up to the house.

As he reached the large, imposing front doors they swung open to allow him entry- recognising immediately the Malfoy blood. Lucius groaned again as he saw Narcissa, her arms folded, standing in the grand hallway, tapping her foot on the marble floor.

"What happened to you?" she snapped, her pale blue eyes narrowed more than normal.

"None of your business." Lucius spat, pushing his way past her. Narcissa reeled backwards and glared at him as he passed. All Lucius could think of was getting to bed- he had a splitting headache and he was sure he was going to throw up his entire stomach.

"Severus left." Narcissa called as he ascended the stairs- Lucius ignored her. "I don't know what your problem is Lucius," she hissed. "But I am your wife and I expect to be treated with respect."

Lucius swallowed painfully and stumbled a little as he reached the second floor. Without a backward glance he continued on to his bedroom which he did not share with Narcissa.

Closing the door with a relieved sigh Lucius then proceeded to strip and change into his black pyjama bottoms. Groggily he splashed his face with water from a bowl in the room and his vision cleared a little. Looking in the mirror he stared at his pale and still reflection and frowned. His fingers traced the Dark Mark on his arm and a shiver shot through him making his thin body tremble.

Slowly an icy tear slipped its way down his cheek and Lucius sighed- the delicate noise echoing in the silence of his bedroom.

"Beautiful." A voice hissed from the darkness.

Lucius stiffened and turned around slowly his silver eyes peering into the blackness with a growing dread. Suddenly he felt all too sober.

"Who…who's there?" he asked quietly.

A small laugh sounded and Voldemort slipped out of the shadows, winding his way towards Lucius. "Honestly Lucius, who else would it be?" he hissed, a cold- almost reptilian finger wiping away Lucius's tear.

"Who else?" Lucius repeated softly, his head bowed he walked over to the bed and lay down, his silver eyes looking anywhere but at Voldemort.

The Dark Lord loomed over him, his red eyes glowing and a forked tongue slithering out to lick at cracked lips. Lucius whimpered slightly and closed his eyes as he felt the serpent tongue lick the side of his face.

"Who else…." He whispered.

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Severus paced the length of his office at Hogwarts, his sallow fingers rubbing absently at his temples. Lucius had gone to work that day- Melinda the secretary had confirmed that- however, she had also told Severus of several bangs and crashes that she had heard coming from Lucius's office.

He had no idea what to do, going to Dumbledore wouldn't help. Lucius was a Death Eater- even if that position had been forced upon him- and Severus didn't see Lucius offering to turn to the good side, so there was no chance of Dumbledore's help.

Maybe, he thought, just maybe it would be a good idea to arrange a meeting between Lucius and Remus. A meeting could help them both. They could find redemption in each other and maybe find a future- or at least- bury their past once and for all.

However, he did not think that Lucius would submit to this meeting willingly and he had no idea of Remus's feelings. Maybe, maybe he could talk to Sirius. That would be hard for him, Severus hated the other black-haired man with a fiery vengeance, but he would do anything for Lucius- that hadn't changed and never would.

If he had to sacrifice something to make Lucius smile again then he would. He would walk over hot coals to stop Lucius from doing what he was sure he was planning to do.

(A/N) okay- so I realise that chapter was shorter than most but at least it was a quick update! Anyways- review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!