Author's Note: Thank you to my readers! I hope you keep reading and reviewing, despite my terribly late updates. Here's Chapter Thirteen! Have fun!

Chapter Thirteen

A Threat and a Warning

"I hope you don't mind, but I'll get straight to the point," Severus said.

Narcissa maintained a blank expression.

"I know about you and James, and I know about you and Lucius Malfoy," Severus whispered, leaning over the foot of her bed. His long strands of greasy black hair were falling around his face, creating frightening shadows. His eyes were surrounded by dark rings, glaring against the pale white of his skin.

"How did you know…?" she asked. She had told no one, only Sirius. And neither he nor James would tell anyone, especially not Snape. Her engagement had been a secret. It was something she had been very discreet about.

"You have not been as careful as you thought," Snape murmured, his gaze overpowering her. "And now I know your darkest little secrets."

Narcissa felt the room grow cold all of a sudden, as if a dementor entered. "Are you threatening me, Snape?" she asked harshly, despite the apprehension that was tugging at her.

"Of course not," Severus replied, a twisted smile on his lips. "Not yet."

She swallowed hard and glowered at him. "What do you want?"

She stared coldly at Severus as he walked over to the side of her bed and took a seat on the chair placed there for her visitors. He seemed so perfectly at ease that she found his presence unnerving.

"Not much," he said. "I am going to make you a deal. A very simple one…"

Narcissa inhaled deeply. She felt a sudden rush of hatred for Snape well up within her. "Spill it out. I don't want to have to look at you a moment longer than necessary."

"Watch your words you little whore. Remember, I have found the weakest link to the chain holding your entire world together," Snape said. "But you don't have to worry just yet. In fact, your foolishness is my most desired wish granted."

"Why?"

"Because you are going to help me take James out of the picture… And when you do, Lily Evans will be mine." The smile on his face grew fiercer.

"I have no plans of separating James and Lily." There was no hesitation in her voice. The smile on his face disappeared.

"Yes, I heard. But if you do not, I am going to ruin your life."

Narcissa gritted her teeth. "No one is going to believe you, Snape. My word against yours… There is no question as to who will be assumed the liar."

Snape pushed her down on the bed, one hand covering her mouth and the other crushing her injured shoulder. "We'll see, Narcissa Black. We will see."

He left her hurriedly and without another word. She sat back up and was touching her shoulder. The pain was excruciating, like her arm was being burned and ripped to shreds. And while she could prevent a scream, she could not hold back the tears. And she was thus hunched over, crying, when James entered the Hospital Wing. She did not hear him approach.

"Narcissa…?" he said, sitting on the side of her bed. The concern was evident in his voice, but she could not even look up at him.

"James…" she choked out. "It hurts…so bad…I…" she broke into a continuous stream of sobs.

He gently pulled her close, feeling her pain overwhelm him. "I'll call Madam Dolley, alright?"

"No, stay, please…" she murmured, burying her face in his chest. "Please don't go… Snape might… I… Just stay…" she choked her words out between cries of pain.

"Snape? What did Snape do to you?" James asked. "Narcissa?"

But she was delirious with the pain. And it seemed to be increasing because he could hear her soft cries growing louder. He kissed her hair and rubbed his hands against her back soothingly. He felt his fury intensify just as he heard her begin screaming.

Madam Dolley appeared beside them. "What's going on?!" she sounded just as angry as James was feeling. "What happened? I told you to stay still…!"

Narcissa's screams were driving James insane. Her suffering shattered his soul. "I am going to kill Snape…" he said, not even knowing what Snape had done.

Narcissa gripped his hand tightly and shook her head. He leaned close to her, caressing her cheek with his fee hand. "I'll make everything alright, Narcissa," he whispered. "I love you…"

"This had better not be your doing, Potter," Madam Dolley said as she hurriedly drew her wand. She was upset that she had to resort to casting spells.

"It isn't," he said, and he left the Hospital Wing.

In his rush to leave, he did not see Lily hiding behind a column nearby. But she noticed him, and she sighed and stopped him before he walked away.

"James, we need to talk," she said, catching his attention.

"Oh, Lily," he said. "Have you seen Snape?"

Lily frowned. "I need to talk to you, James."

"Lily, not right now please," he said impatiently. "Where is Snape?"

She fought back the impulse to slap him. "What is going on between you and Narcissa, James?" there was an edge to her voice, dripping with cruelty and accusation.

"What?" James asked, dumbfounded.

"Is there something between you two? You're hiding something, James, I know it. If you like her, then why did you want us to go out? And if there isn't anything, then why do I feel like there is? Why does it look like there is?"

James ran a hand through his hair. "You're being paranoid, Lily. Can we talk about this later? I need to find Snape."

He looked so resolute that she knew it would be pointless to press him for answers. "Fine, go," she conceded, and he left. In the Hospital Wing, Narcissa had quieted down. Lily pressed the tips of her fingers against her temples and moaned inwardly. James gave her chronic headaches. Later, she would make sure that he answers all her questions.

Madam Dolley had left Narcissa, passing Lily on her way out of the Hospital Wing. She was probably going to the greenhouses or the Potions stockroom. Lily stepped inside the Hospital Wing and headed towards the only occupied bed. Narcissa's slight frame was covered in blankets but was still visibly trembling. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead and her skin was pale. But she was asleep. And Lily knew better than to wake her simply to interrogate her.

She was so beautiful. Even in this piteous state she was lovely, like an angel. Lily found it difficult to even suppose that Narcissa could ever be part of a conspiracy against her. She wanted to believe that she was simply being paranoid, that James was right and Severus was wrong. Her head began to throb again.