Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J.K's brainchild, not mine. The plots all me though.

Chapter Four

Alone in the Dark

There was smoke rising from a candle wick that had long ago been extinguished. The skin of the pale hand could still sense the fire tickling at it tips, searing heat. She'd been waiting hours that night, but she'd been waiting forever for her husband to come home.

It was not like Narcissa Malfoy to worry incessantly about anything, after all what did she really have to worry about? There were vaults in her name that she had never needed to touch, brimming with gold and exotic trinkets, enough to fund her wildest desires be it a private island far away or the most exquisite of jewels bewitched with powerful old magic. She'd never had to make a bed in her life, be it by hand or by wand; nor had she to clean dishes or cook dinner; she had an entire of house elves that dealt with such menial tasks. She had her son, her most precious, perfect son whom she loved more than she thought could be possible. Narcissa had it all through foreign eyes; if only she did.

She fidgeted with the hem of her robe, pulling at the woven seems, wondering why she had even bothered to buy it. It was just like the many others that lined her many closets, and he never noticed any difference in them. He was too busy. Sometimes Narcissa wished he were devoted to her and only her, but of course that was out of the question.

Her eyes darted back to the clock once again. The hand had barely moved, and a sigh escaped her lips. It was the only sound of life to fill the room, for even her breaths were silent and remorseful. He had never been this late before. Muscles tensed in her back but she made no move to sit up straight.

There was a creek in a floorboard in the hall. Her ears pricked and her heart raced, but then nothing came. She couldn't bear to turn around and look at the open door. It made the time pass so much more slowly. And it was dark. Narcissa hated the dark.

"Lucius," she muttered quietly, drumming a hand on the arm of her chair.

Thoughts drifted as the minutes ticked by, each one reminding her that it was late and she was alone. There was an old picture of them on the mantelpiece that she was surprised to find she had forgotten it had been taken. Her eyes drifted across it, reminding her of a time long ago when things were different. When they had been different.

The crash of china startled her and she reluctantly withdrew herself from her memories, hauling herself up from the chair. She whirled around but the sound hadn't come from who she had hoped.

"Why you-" Narcissa hissed as she noticed the house elf quivering in the darkness, its large glass like eyes wide in fright. Fury rushed through her veins and she wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of the creature, her fists clenched at her sides. Usually so collected, right now she was finding it incredibly difficult to keep control of her emotions. She hated to admit even to herself that it was because she was worried.

At the elf's feet lay the broken remains of an old blue vase. A squeak erupted from it's mouth and it dropped instantly on to all fours, desperately trying to pick up all the shattered pieces. "T-Twinkle is s-sorry, very s-sorry Maim," the elf snivelled as it stood up, the remains now held in it's scrunched up apron. "Twinkle will fix it."

"SHUT UP!" Narcissa screamed madly, reaching for her wand. Twinkle jumped back against the wall in terror, her' hands dropping the bunched up apron as she covered her face in fright. But her hands had been holding the apron together and as she let go the shards of the broken vase crashed to the floor. Twinkle slowly lowered her hands. Narcissa Malfoy glared at her, contemplating whether to curse the damned house elf or not.

"Get out."

Narcissa fell heavily back into her chair, arms slumped over the sides, lacking the energy or conviction to cast the most basic of spells. "Lucius," she muttered as her she closed her eyes

She must have dozed off, for when she opened her eyes again, light was tingeing the horizon. Shooting up with a start, Narcissa scanned the room until she saw what she was looking for.

"Where...where have you been? When did you get back?"

Lucius Malfoy was stood rigidly in the doorway. He cleared his throat. "About an hour ago. I would have woken you, but you looked tired."

She waved a hand dismissively. "That is no matter. Do you bring news?"

"Nothing good or bad."

That wasn't what she wanted to hear. Lucius must have known that, for he was watching her steadily.

"I believe they are both safe for now. The Dark Lord is concentrating on his other project for the time being, and has little thought for the other prophecy, though I fear that will change very soon."

"As winter approaches," she supplied quietly when he paused.

"Yes, as winter approaches."

Taking a deep, shaky breath, she turned and walked towards the window. She did not want him to see how relieved she was. "He means everything to me, Lucius. Everything. If anything should happen to him, anything, then lord help me what I'll do."

A cat stalked across the dewy grounds far below, a black silhouette against the fresh green. "I hope that old crackpot knows what he's doing."

Lucius moved to stand beside her, grasping her hand lightly in his own. It was almost like old times, Narcissa thought. Only this time they were fighting for their lives, not for power. "It's the only option we have. He is the only one."

A bitter laugh escaped her pink lips. "He must be, if his plan is to have my precious son marry a mudblood."

She felt her thoughts wander as they stood silent together, wondering yet again how they had found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They had everything, and yet she would risk it all for her son. Her gaze was drawn far north past all the trees and hills miles and miles away to where he was now, trying to remind herself that she had only seen him off yesterday. But it felt like she'd lost him many years ago, and she prayed to whoever was out there that she would see her beloved son again. A bottomless pit of dread in her stomach made her wonder if she would not.

TBC

A bit of a short chapter I know, but the next one is almost done and is much longer! And I can promise that things are going to pick up speed a bit more from now on. As always thanks for reading and reviewing, your comments make me :) when its cloudy outside. Until next time...