Disclaimer: As in Ch 1

Summer rolled into autumn then a chill captured the atmosphere, and before Narcissa realised, it was the week before Christmas. The months had blurred together in the time she had spent in courting with Lucius. He was everything she had ever needed, without her knowing she had needed it. The pair was just about inseparable. They had accompanied each other to theatres, dinners and parties, as well as Lucius spending much time at the Black Manor. Christmas was not a particularly celebrated occasion in the Black Family, although Narcissa received beautiful jewellery from Lucius that made it the best Christmas she had ever had.

Easter and Narcissa's 19th birthday were the next events on the calendar coinciding in April. Narcissa had spent most of the day of her birthday alone because Lucius was at the Ministry. But, Lucius arrived at 4 o'clock, bearing gifts and told Narcissa she needed to change because he had a surprise planned.

"But where are we going?" Narcissa inquired.

"You'll see, just go and put something nice on."

"Fine." She said playfully and ascended the stairs to her room.

Ten minutes later she was dressed in a new, fairly modest black floor-length dress she had received from her parents with her hair in soft curls half pinned back and adorned in her new jewellery. She looked exquisite, just breathtaking as she made her way back down to Lucius. He was in discussion with Cygnus in his study as she entered the room. He was mid sentence when his train of thought de-railed at the sight of her. He couldn't help but stare. He recovered after a few seconds, quickly finished his conversation with Cygnus and took her side.

They apparated into an area of London Narcissa did not know particularly well, she kept a firm hold on his arm as they made their way down the street.

"You have no idea how many people I had to contact to be able to do this tonight." Lucius smirked as they walked into an expensive restaurant. It was full to the brim of very important looking witches and wizards, some Narcissa recognised, some she didn't. They were immediately greeted by the head patron.

"Ah Mr Malfoy! Pleasure to see you again this evening!"

"Likewise Giorgio, I take it our table is ready?"

"Of course! Of course! If you would follow me."

They made their way amongst tables of dining guests until they started to climb an ascending staircase, quite grand to behold. As they reached the second floor, they appeared in a large empty room that had been dimmed with floating candles showing a path to the balcony where one lonely table sat, a topped with flowers and more candles. Narcissa was more than impressed and was trying her hardest to keep her mouth closed as they floated across the room to the table on the balcony. They were seated to find full glasses of wine awaited them. The patron handed them menu's, bowed and left them.

"Lucius Malfoy, you have really outdone yourself this time." She said sincerely, smiling at him.

"Anything for you my dear, anything for you." He smiled back and laid his hand open palmed across the table and she placed her delicate hand in his as his fingers closed around hers. The city looked stunning from their perch looking across at the night lights, the clear sky full of stars and the near full moon beaming down upon them. They laughed and chatted over dinner, it was such a perfect moment, Narcissa didn't want it to end.

By the time they were ready to leave, Narcissa had finished four glasses of wine and was feeling slightly tipsy, tired and warm from the alcohol. Downstairs was near empty as they descended the staircase arm in arm. Lucius released her arm as they reached the first floor, "I'm going to speak to Giorgio and settle the bill."

"That's fine. I'll step outside and wait for you; it's a little warm in here." And the pair parted, Lucius moving towards the back of house and Narcissa, the front door.

Narcissa stepped out into the spring air and the calm of night engulfed her. She stood just outside the door and appreciated the silence. The street was deserted until, to her left, 10 yards up, a door was thrown open and someone was tossed out onto the street. Narcissa was initially worried until she realised it was a pub and that they were probably very drunk. She watched, also tipsy herself, as the man, with difficulty, pulled himself up and dusted himself off, muttering obscenities under his breath then began stumbling down the street in the dark. He hadn't noticed her at all until he was close enough for Narcissa to recognise who it was and she gasped loudly at the recognition. Stumbling down the street, blind drunk was Thorfinn Rowle. He stopped and turned his head towards her only a few paces away and his expression changed immediately as he finally noticed the woman standing in the street.

"Miz N'cissa Black!" He slurred moving towards her, "You're lookin' lov'ly tonight!" He was now close enough for her to smell the stench of fire whiskey. She backed away but was meet with a solid wall. He continued, "You 'n' I could 'ave some real fun tonight..." The tone dripped from his words as he snaked a hand around Narcissa's waist.

"No thank you. Get off me." She demanded and pushed his hand away. He tried again and Narcissa started to panic. She again removed his hand from her waist and, without thinking, slapped him. Hard. He stumbled back a few paces in shock. As she regained her composure, she knew that was the wrong thing to do. His demeanour changed and he suddenly looked infuriated. Before Narcissa had a chance to think, as she too was slightly intoxicated, he was coming back at her with his right arm raised. His fist connected with the left side of her face and sent her crashing to the ground. She immediately began to scream. The force he put into the punch made him lose his balance and brought him toppling down on her. Narcissa was struggling beneath him, trying to push him off as he tried to kiss and grope her but to no avail. For being considerably drunk, he was managing to run a hand up her thigh whilst the other pushed himself up to get more leverage as he tried to kiss her neck and partially visible chest. Narcissa didn't even realise she was still screaming until Rowle was thrown off her a few metres into the air and landed with a thud on the pavement. She fell silent as Lucius appeared in her field of vision looking incredibly furious but she saw the distress in his eyes. Rowle still hadn't moved as Lucius knelt down and he pulled her into a sitting position.

"Oh Merlin Narcissa! I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" She just looked at him, trembling, unable to speak. Her hair was askew, her dress covered in dirt and a large red mark that was quickly turning purple had already appeared on her face. He picked her up off the ground and pulled her into an embrace. She just stood there in his arms. People had begun to stick their heads out of neighbouring doorways to see what the commotion was. Rowle had started to stir, and had managed to pull himself to his hands and knees. Lucius barked, "Back inside! All of you!" Doors quickly closed the whole way up the street. He let go of her with one arm and pointed his wand at Rowle. He muttered a silencing charm but a few seconds later, Rowle was rolling around in agony silently screaming. Narcissa did not realise at the time what was happening. It lasted for about a minute until he fell still and Lucius lifted the silencing charm and the pair disapparated.

At 11 o'clock at night, Black Manor was silent, as usual, until four feet landed in the foyer and a voice bellowed, "Elf! Now!" At that, three elves appeared around the pair, Narcissa still firmly attached to Lucius.

"Fetch me your Master and Mistress now!" The elves popped away, presumably to the master bedroom. Seconds later, Cygnus and Druella appeared, over the foyer, worried as to why they were summoned so urgently. Both adorned in robes, dashed across the hallway and down the stairs. Cygnus reached them first, followed by Druella and three worried looking elves.

"What the bloody hell happened boy!" He barked.

"I... I don't know! She was waiting for me outside while I wrote out a check for dinner and... And I heard her screaming and when I got outside Rowle was attacking her! She was only out there for a minute!" Lucius was genuinely distressed whereas Cygnus was furious.

"How could you let that happen boy! Did he hurt her?"

"Cygnus!" Druella exclaimed.

"I don't know, she hasn't spoken yet." Lucius drifted off.

"Take her to her room. Now. She needs rest." Druella announced taking charge.

Narcissa was still in a frozen state of shock, clinging to Lucius but now shaking violently. He bend down and scooped her up into his arms, holding her close to his chest, and carried her upstairs, Druella leading the way, tailed by Cygnus and the elves. It was not proper for a man to enter a young woman's room but etiquette didn't matter to Lucius that night. He marched in and laid her on the bed, then stepped back to allow Druella to tend to her.

"Elf, fetch me a calming potion and a sleeping draught." Druella ordered and an elf dashed away, "Gentlemen, please step outside." Lucius hesitated for a moment but turned and followed Cygnus back into the hallway and the door closed behind them with a soft 'thud'. Cygnus, who was too angry to talk, strutted back down the hallway, mumbling to himself. Lucius was beside himself, he had never felt so helpless before. He paced the hallway outside the door wondering to himself whether only torturing the bastard was enough. After ten minutes or so, Druella slipped out of the room, quietly closing the door to find Lucius looking anxious as ever. He opened his mouth to speak but Druella raised a hand to silence him.

"She is asleep. No she has not said anything. You will have to wait until the morning to speak to her, if she is up to it. Go home Lucius. We can talk about it in the morning. I have given her a mild dose of sleeping draught so she probably won't wake until mid morning. Get some rest and gather your thoughts. She is fine... For now." Lucius knew she was right. He closed his mouth and lowered his head in defeat, turned on his heels and trudged back down the stairs. With a 'pop', he was gone. Black Manor was silent once again.

I was beginning to think I was wasting my time posting this story, until I looked at the traffic stats and wow this story is getting the hits, alerts and favourites even but only one review. Please, a little bit of feedback would be appreciated. Even though I'm writing it the way I want to see a Lucius x Narcissa fic go, some response that people are actually enjoying it would be good otherwise I won't bother posting anymore.

Thanks everyone.