Hard to Say Words

I stumbled into the woods on the verge of tears. I leant against the nearest tree breathing deeply, trying to regain my composure. I slid down the tree and sat ungracefully on the hard ground,

"I thought I knew what we had; I really thought he liked me. But…" I whispered to the ground, I couldn't bring myself to finish that sentence. I was afraid that I had lost him, lost him because of my allegiance to Voldemort. Expecting Lucius, as a Death Eater, to understand my plight was obviously too high an expectation.

Hours later, still sitting in the woods, my musing was interrupted by a golden eagle that had landed beside me with a message attached to its leg. I absentmindedly stroked the eagle's feathers as I unfurled the missive and read:

Dear Blair,

I did not mean to offend you with my inquiry. I know I should have accepted what the Dark Lord told me but I was afraid that he would be wrong… Can you forgive a proud man for his mistake, Blair?

The Dark Lord has requested that we leave tonight for our homes so if you could kindly meet me at the apparition point in one hour.

Regards,

Lucius

"Great!" I moaned, burying my face in the parchment. I had forgotten that I was to stay with him. "Stupid, bloody Aurors! I want my house back!" I reluctantly rose and made my way back towards my tent to pack my trunk.

Impatience began biting at my nerves as I stood in the fading afternoon sun waiting for Lucius to arrive.

"Where the hell is that man?" I mumbled to myself, unaware that, "that man" had walked up beside me.

"Why I am right here, Blair!" he announced, slipping his arm around my waist. "Did you miss me?" he smirked, eyes glinting mischievously.

"Hardly." I replied stiffly, moving out of his grasp. "Can we just get going now?"

Lucius had the grace to look ashamed at my harsh words,

'Did you not receive my letter, Blair?" he asked a hint of confusion in his voice at my behaviour.

"Of course, you fool!" I spat, "Would I be standing here, like you requested if I had not received your letter? Really, Lucius, I thought you were smarter than that." I sneered at him before turning away, my heart breaking at the look of shame on his face.

"Oh come on, Blair! You know exactly what I am talking about!" he paused, not letting his frustration get the better of him. He stepped forward and clasped both of my hands in his own. "Blair, I know nothing can change the fact that I showed little faith in you though my actions earlier, but I am irrefutably sorry for what I said to you. I – I - I hope you can forgive me." He finished the last part quickly stopping himself before saying "I love you". I choked back a sob; he couldn't even bring himself to say he loved me after what I said to him. He was only staying out of guilt now, I knew it.

Still with my hands clasped in his I gazed into his hopeful eyes, a stark contrast to the cold severity they usually held,

"Lucius, I love you, I have already told you that. It needs to be both ways for this to work." I stated matter-o-factly, knowing he knew I picked up what he had stopped himself from saying.

"Blair, I-" he began when I silenced him with my finger on his lips.

"Lucius, give it time." I whispered, sliding my fingers over his cheek, he closed his eyes and leaned into my touch as I got lost in the silken feel of his face.

We were brought back to reality by throaty cough and a stifled giggle. I retracted my hand sharply from Lucius' face and swung around to face the intruders.

"You have made up then, have you?" Rodolphus smirked.

Lucius drew himself up indignantly,

"We never fought." He said calmly, his face betraying the truth. Bella waved her hand dismissively towards us,

'Oh please! The whole damn camp heard you. I would hate to see when you really do fight!" Bella exclaimed.

"Shut your mouths or we will hex them shut for you!" I hissed, trying to cover my embarrassment at the realisation that everyone knew we were fighting.

Rodolphus held up his hands in mock fear,

"Ooh! Stay away from Malfoy and Gaunt; they are liable to eat us if we get any closer." He doubled over laughing, but was cut short with a wack on the back of his head from Bella's wand. She looked worriedly at us,

"Seriously though, are you two alright? Let us know if we can help." She offered sympathetically, with a nodding Rodolphus beside her. I hated pity and hated it even more when the people who offered it, knew as much. I pulled on Lucius arm and whispered,

"Let's go before they start blubbering over us." Malfoy responded with a snort of laughter as he pulled me closer.

"As much as we enjoy talking about ourselves, we must be off. We will see you when we next gather." Before they could respond, we had apparated to the Malfoy manor.