Greetings! I present to you the official first chapter of The Sky Is Dark Tonight! It begins two years before Harry and the others are born and will continue through the end of the seventh book. This chapter will be short, it's just going to show Cordelia's birth. The next chapter is when she's older. As I have been informed…repeatedly, I do not own Harry Potter. I do own Cordelia, however! And this is where her official story will begin.
Chapter One
Introducing Cordelia Malfoy
The wind outside howled with a fury as it blew snow and ice over the English countryside. It rattled the windows of a large, black mansion and kept all of its occupants inside. One of the occupants, an elegant looking woman sat at the window sill in the library, staring out into the blizzard. She rested a hand on her protruding stomach and felt the child inside kick violently. Narcissa Malfoy winced as she thought back to the day the child was conceived. After the deed was done and her duty had been fulfilled, Narcissa thought she would forever hate the child that she carried within her. But, after nine whole months of carrying the baby, she realized that it was not the child's fault and began to grow fond of the being inside her.
A noise at the door shook Narcissa from her reverie and when she turned, she saw her husband Lucius closing the door behind him. She turned back to stare out the window as Lucius came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her massive belly. She felt his long, silken hair brush her cheek as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
"Soon, we will welcome our first little Malfoy into the world. Are you nervous, love?" Lucius asked.
Narcissa shook her head, "No, Lucius, I'm not. Because the child is a pure-blood, carrying the blood of the Malfoys and Blacks alike in its veins. And because the child will be loved."
"Yes, he will be." Lucius agreed. Narcissa chuckled and Lucius looked down at the top of her blond head. "What's so funny, love?"
"That fact that you think this child will be a boy." Narcissa replied. She gently rubbed her swollen belly. "This child will be a girl, dear, I can feel it."
"Hmm, well, whatever its gender, it will be a Malfoy. And, if the child is a girl, then we'll just have to keep trying for a boy." Lucius smirked, moving to kiss the side of Narcissa's neck.
An audible sigh escaped the Malfoy matriarch's lips and Lucius inquired what was wrong.
"Nothing, my love, I'm just ready for this baby to be born." Narcissa lied smoothly. In reality, she was thinking about how much she despised lying to her husband about who the baby's actual father was.
"I am as well. I cannot wait to meet the little one." Lucius smiled.
Suddenly, Narcissa shivered and moaned in pain. "Lucius," she ground out. "My water just broke."
Lucius lost the little color he had in his pale face and yelled for Dobby, the Malfoy house elf. With a sharp crack, he appeared.
"Yes, Master Malfoy?" Dobby stuttered.
"Dobby, fetch the Healer on the third floor of the mansion. NOW!" Lucius roared.
Another crack and Dobby was gone. Lucius clutched Narcissa's hand as his wife took deep, gasping breaths.
"You're going to be fine, Narcissa. I promise." Lucius whispered to his wife.
The Healer burst through the door of the library and shooed Lucius out of the way.
"Lay back, dearie. Let's see how far you are along." The matronly older woman directed. Narcissa nodded and winced as she lay back onto the few pillows that lay on the window sill. The Healer lifted the emerald green robes Narcissa was wearing and Vanished her knickers. "Oh, yes, we're quite along now. Won't be long."
Narcissa focused on her breathing and let her mind wander back to that day.
Narcissa had just finished redressing, when the Dark Lord came up behind her.
"You will make sure that no one knows this child is mine. Lucius must think that the baby is his. You will not tell the child who its real father is, I will do that in due time. You are to train the child in all the magic you know, Lucius as well and you will instruct it in the proper ways of pure-blood society. Understood?" the Dark Lord explained.
"Yes, my Lord. And, what will you have me name the child?" Narcissa asked.
"Whatever you want, I don't care. You are dismissed."
As Narcissa left, she smiled to herself. At least she would get to name the wretched creature.
Narcissa let out a piercing wail and clutched at one of the throw pillows.
"Let's see if you can push, dearie." The Healer looked back under Narcissa's robes. She looked back at Narcissa and said, "Mrs. Malfoy, push now."
Narcissa gritted her teeth and pushed as hard as she could for what felt like an eternity. When the pain became to get she stopped and took several, ragged breaths. Lucius rushed over to his wife's side and took her hand. Narcissa immediately latched onto her husband like a vice.
"Let's have another push now." The Healer directed.
Again, Narcissa clenched her jaw and pushed. She could feel the baby squirming and finally leaving her body. From Narcissa's feet came a tiny cry.
"There we go!" the Healer cheered. She severed the umbilical cord with a charm and cleaned the infant with another. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, you have a baby girl."
The Healer passed the child up to its mother, who cradled it gently. The baby had a few wisps of golden blonde hair and her skin was the traditional Malfoy pale.
"She's beautiful, Narcissa. What do you wish to name her?" Lucius whispered.
Narcissa smiled down at the infant, who was now snoozing peacefully.
"Cordelia," she said. "Cordelia Honora Malfoy."