QLFC : Round 1

Position : Seeker

Team : Kenmare Kestrels

Prompt : Amulets – Write about a protective spell or ritual.

Word count : 1777

Trigger warning : use of blood in the ritual

Narcissa had been pacing for more than half an hour. The sun was almost up, and she had showed up at Malfoy Manor a few hours before, distressed and in tears. She had heard her father and her uncle Orion discussing the Dark Lord's plan concerning Andromeda and her little family. She knew she couldn't go to Bellatrix about this. That girl was gone for her master: he could probably ask her to sacrifice her firstborn and she would agree. She probably shouldn't have come to Lucius either, but she needed his comfort, no matter his stance on the matter. Now that she had regained her composure, the young woman was restless.

"She's not hurting anyone. Why can't they simply leave her and her family alone?"

"Does it mean that much to you?"

"Of course it does! The Dark Lord wants to kill my niece! My five-year-old niece!"

"He doesn't want to kill her. You told me that Orion said that some men were going to pay them a visit. They'll probably just threaten them a bit…"

"You don't know that!"

"Actually, I do."

"What the hell do you mean? Are you going?" Her question was met with an awkward silence filled with guilt. "Lucius, for Merlin's sake, answer me! Are you going?"

There were few moments when Narcissa was anything other than the calm and collected heiress everyone knew her to be. Lucius knew that he was one of the few people who ever saw her without a filter. Obviously, he preferred these moments to be because she was overwhelmed with pleasure, in the privacy of his bedroom, rather than because she was this close to losing her mind over her traitorous sister's safety. He got up and took her hand, guiding her to his bed. They sat side by side for a few minutes.

"My father is. However, it doesn't change anything. Had the Dark Lord demanded it, I would have gone Narcissa."

"I know that. I just don't get it. I really don't. She's a traitor but she's not fighting with the Order. Surely, she's not worth all that trouble. And that child… "

"That child is the proof of your family's failure to keep their children in line. She may have married a mudblood, but she's still a Black, darling."

A dark look crossed her face.

"That's why your father is going? Because she's a Black? Because he must prove your family's loyalty after you refused to break our engagement?"

"The Dark Lord feels that the Black family has encountered too many mishaps recently. First Andromeda ran off. Now Sirius. Adding insult to injury, that idiot is joining the Aurors and probably the Order, too. Our master cannot help but wonder what's next. However, I'm sure the Dark Lord knows that an alliance between our two families will bring us even more power. It's a test. Either way, I fell in love with you many years ago and I'll be doomed if I can't marry you because of the stupid choices of others, Narcissa."

He took her hand and squeezed it lightly, as a light blush appeared on her cheeks. She squeezed it back and sighed loudly.

"Are you going to be okay? If it makes you feel better, I will talk to Father. He can make sure they are not harmed. But a message needs to be sent, Narcissa."

"I get that, but I won't be able to live with myself if I do nothing and…"

"What are you saying?"

"I… I think I have to warn Andy."

He dropped her hand immediately, grabbing her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

"Narcissa, don't you dare."

"Lucius, you don't understand… You're an only child. She's my blood. I… I can't let her die when she's not even part of this war. I will warn my sister, traitor or not."

"And I'm going to be your husband, Narcissa!"

"I know! I love you! But she's my blood Lucius!

"You keep saying that, but you wear my ring and soon you'll wear my name. If the Dark Lord finds out about this… I'm doomed, you hear me?"

Narcissa's heart broke a little, after hearing these words. She knew that Lucius and she would not see eye to eye on this subject. They never would. The bond between her sisters and her was special. Now, Bellatrix might have forgotten the importance of family, but Narcissa never would. She couldn't. She couldn't let Andromeda and little Nymphadora die, just so they could be made into an example.

"I've heard of a witch in Knockturn Alley, who specializes in protection spells. Her name is Giana. I want to see her and perhaps we can work out something. Perhaps I won't even have to see Andromeda. I can just send her an object, like an amulet, with a protection spell." After a short pause, having received no response, she spoke again. "I'm sorry. But I am doing this, whether you like it or not."

The young Malfoy lightly shook his head. "I'm just thinking. Listen Narcissa, we must leave no evidence… And you're crazy if you think you're going to Knockturn Alley without me. Go home, get dressed and we will leave after we've both had breakfast."

oOo

"Are you sure it will work?" Narcissa asked, her voice cold as ice, while Lucius glared at the old witch.

The old lady sent her a pointed look, seemingly unimpressed. "Listen to me pretty girl, my spells have never failed. Now, I need you to come with me. Without your boy toy."

Narcissa could sense Lucius' unease at leaving her alone with the witch, but she knew that it was the only way. As they entered the back of the shop, she couldn't help but gawk at what she saw: candles, everywhere. In the middle of the room, they formed a circle and Giana mentioned for her to step inside the circle.

"This circle will help me draw into your magic, to power the necklace you gave me."

"My magic?"

"I told you it would cost you, sweet thing. If you're worried about being weakened, I have a way to make the necklace's power temporary only."

Narcissa had found a trinket in her childhood's things. The pendant had the shape of a small crow, but it was very simple, and perfect for a child. Besides, it made her think of the armories of the House of Black. Another reminder of the blood they shared. The young woman forced herself to step inside the circle, telling herself that she was doing this to protect someone she shared her blood with. With a flick of her wand, the old witch blew out all the candles except those forming the circle and Narcissa felt the air change. The atmosphere was filled with energy, and she prayed to Merlin that she wasn't sacrificing her magic for nothing. Giana took her hand and grabbed a small knife with her other hand.

"As you share the blood of that girl, I can use your blood to make the spell even stronger", she explained.

Narcissa nodded and Giana pressed the blade against her wrist, breaking the skin. The blood started to flow, landing in a small marble bowl below. When the bowl was full, the witch pointed her wand to Narcissa's wrist, muttered some words under her breath and it was healed.

"Any second thoughts?"

"Tell me more about this temporary thing."

"As I told you before, the pendant will sense when people with bad intentions are around her… This englobes people who want to harm her in any way possible, from simply lying to her to wanting to murder her. The pendant will protect her by drawing from the magic and strength that your blood contains."

"The blood in that bowl?"

"Exactly. Therefore, it could protect her for years from small risks. Or only one hour if someone attempts to murder her."

"I thought you couldn't stop the killing curse."

"You can't stop it, but you can divert it. The necklace will be able to do it, but only once. Now, are you ready?"

She nodded and the witch placed the pendant in the bowl of blood and began to recite a spell of her own invention. Narcissa watched, as the pendant absorbed the blood – her blood – until not one drop remained. Giana retrieved it carefully and hooked it to the necklace chain before sealing it in place with another spell.

"Is it done?"

"Yes."

oOo

Nymphadora was a little girl on a mission. She knew her mom had baked an apple pie this morning and she really wanted to eat some. Mommy told her to wait for dinner, but the pie looked so good early on, she simply couldn't resist. As she entered the kitchen, her steps came to a halt. A beautiful black owl was perched on the window still and was just out of reach for the five-year-old. It scowled when it met her eyes. The bird was beautiful and the five-year-old was disappointed she couldn't touch it, but truthfully, it didn't look very friendly.

"Mommy! An owl is waiting in the kitchen! Mommyyyyyyyy…"

A few seconds later, Andromeda burst in the room, her wand in hand. As she saw the owl, her expression hardened.

"Can I pet it, pleaaaaase?"

"Don't touch it", she snaped.

As her request was denied, the little girl huffed and left the room, as Andromeda eyed the bird warily. After all, she knew that owl all too well. The real question was: who among the Blacks was writing to her? When she had left her family, all ties had been cut. She had contemplated writing to the younger ones a few times, at least while they were at Hogwarts and their letters couldn't be intercepted, but she didn't want to get them in trouble. Her heart sank a little, at that thought. She hoped it wasn't a trap, but either way, that stubborn bird wouldn't leave until she took the letter from him.

Carefully, she untied the letter from his foot.

Andy,

The Dark Lord is losing patience with our family. Your little offspring will not be safe, both because her blood is dirty and because she is a Black. I cannot tell you more than I have already. I ask of you to burn this letter as soon as you read it.

Here's an enchanted necklace, that will assure her protection. Its powers are limited so use it carefully, only in situations of danger. I may not agree with your choices, she is still my blood. I hope you will trust my intentions.

Love,

Cissy.

Hi guys! It's been so long but here I am, with a new story. I must say, it feels good to write again and actually finish something. This is my entry for the The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition round 1. It's my first time writing on a deadline so let me know what you think.