Chapter Seven – Flashbacks to Tragedy

Narcissa wasn't able to stop her tears it was an impossible task. What had just happened? What did she just do? Why did she do that? Was she that stupid? Narcissa didn't know the answers to any of these questions. She just wished she could find a time turner and turn it all around.

"I'm so sorry, Lucius," she muttered to the retreating figure her sobs crushing against her throat. Lucius continued to walk away without turning back to her.

Her mind raced to figure out how this began. But that was too easy. It had all began several weeks ago when she ran down to the Slytherin common room in search of her sister. Andromeda's love life had been spread all over school quickly by the wonderful Mythica Windle and Narcissa knew that she had to find Andromeda. And that's were this began . . .

Narcissa made her way slowly into the Slytherin common room only to be met by the sound of two familiar voices arguing with each other, which something that hadn't been done in years between her sister and her best friend.

"How was I supposed to know that Mythica was following us?" Lucius asked loudly as Andromeda paced in front of him.

"She's your girlfriend! Couldn't you tell her some lie to where we were going?" Andromeda said quickly as she fell beside the fireplace.

"Like what?" Lucius groaned, "Do you honestly think she'd believe anything I tell her."

"I can't believe this!" Andromeda shouted. "I trusted you with this! My deepest secret and now everyone knows! This is your entire fault Lucius Malfoy!"

Lucius looked enraged at her comment, "MY FAULT, THIS ISN'T MY FAULT!"

Andromeda growled, "It is and you know it!"

"Do I look like Mythica Windle to you? Does it look like I do anything that goes on in that crazy head of hers? No, it doesn't. I kept your secret! I kept it!"

Andromeda growled, "Now everyone here hates me! HATES ME! You know what they're calling me? Andromeda Black the muggle lover! Andromeda and the mud blood Ted Tonks the secret lovers of Hogwarts!"

Lucius turned his now cold gray eyes on Andromeda and she scooted back slightly. Narcissa couldn't remember Lucius ever looking at someone in that way in her entire life. He looked so cold and almost evil as if he was going to do Andromeda some great harm.

"If you were so ashamed of him," Lucius said before pausing dramatically, "Maybe you shouldn't have been with him."

Andromeda shook slightly at the coldness of his voice. He continued, "May I ask how he feels at this moment? Is he crying in his common room wondering why Mythica let his secret slip? Or is he secretly glad that your relationship can go public? I bet he isn't ashamed. I bet he doesn't even know that you care how everyone feels about the two of you? You're a whore Andromeda Black."

Andromeda let out a dry sob at his words, "Lucius, please—"

"'Please what? I get it. This is my fault! Me, Lucius Malfoy! Let's blame everything on Lucius Malfoy!" Lucius shouted.

Andromeda got up off the floor and ran off to the girl's dormitory. Lucius watched her go, before kicking over the table beside him. He then turned his attention to Narcissa, "What do you want, Narcissa?"

Narcissa moved away from the door and moved towards him. "She's just confused."

"Just great," Lucius said sarcastically. "You're going to blame me for everything as well! Go ahead then, yell at me!"

"It's Mythica's fault Lucius not yours," Narcissa said firmly. "I have to talk to my sister. I suggest you work out your issues."

"I don't have any issues," Lucius spat as Narcissa bit her lip.

"Then stop treating us like this," Narcissa said quickly. "You're letting her control your life!" With that she ran towards the girl's dormitory leaving a very confused Lucius Malfoy.

She dragged herself to her sister's dorm room. Narcissa had to force herself down that hallway when she wanted to run back. Run back to Lucius. She wanted to throw her arms around him and make that hate in his eyes vanish. Where had that hate come from?

"Dromeda let me in," Narcissa pleaded as she knocked on her sister's door.

Andromeda slowly opened the door with tears smeared onto her face. Narcissa rushed into the room as Andromeda slammed the door behind her. The room was vacant and she collapsed on the nearest bed. "Come sit."

Nodding slightly Andromeda sat down beside Narcissa leaning on her younger sister's shoulder. "You shouldn't have yelled at Lucius."

"I know, but I was just so upset," Andromeda said weakly. "He's mad at me, isn't he?"

Narcissa nodded before sighing, "Ted Tonks."

"Please don't patronize me, Cissy," Andromeda groaned as she fell against the bed, laying on it in defeat.

"I love him," Andromeda said as she took in a deep gulp of air. "I've loved him the moment I laid eyes on him. I knew he was the one. I just knew it."

"But—"

"He's a muggle," Andromeda laughed coldly. "I'm betraying our family. Lucius told me this when I first started seeing Ted."

"If you knew then why stay?"

"Because I love him, Cissy, and he loves me," Andromeda growled as she jumped off the bed. "I can't trade him in for a wizard whose blood is purer then mine. I wouldn't want a pure-blood wizard. I want this wizard who has stories about the most wonderful places and who knows how to live in this world."

Narcissa smiled at her breathless sister, "I won't tell mother and father. I will leave that for you when you're ready."

"You're not mad?" Andromeda said quickly.

"I'm disappointed," Narcissa sighed, "But I'm more disappointed that you kept this a secret Andromeda."

"I know," Andromeda sighed, "I'm not ashamed I'm just scared. What am I going to do Cissy when no one wants me around any longer? When my name is tarnished and our aunt burns my name off that tapestry of hers?"

"If you love him it should be enough," Narcissa shrugged.

"People are always saying that, but it isn't enough," Andromeda sighed as she sat back down beside Narcissa. "It takes hard work to be in a relationship."

"I won't desert you," Narcissa said before Andromeda hugged her tightly.

"Would you like to meet him?" Andromeda asked as she let Narcissa go.

"Yes," Narcissa smiled as Andromeda pulled her out of the dorm.

"He's really nice," Andromeda giggled as she led Narcissa out into the hallways.

"I'm sure he is or Lucius wouldn't let you be with him," Narcissa smiled before frowning slightly.

"I should apologize to him," Andromeda sighed quietly.

"I would let it blow over," Narcissa said softly as they made there way to the Hufflepuff dormitory.

"I shouldn't have snapped at him," Andromeda groaned, "He looked so angry. I have never seen Lucius look like that. He was so cold."

"I know," Narcissa said as she shuttered slightly. "I wonder if something is going on with him."

"It's been a hard year for him," Andromeda smiled, "I mean Mythica would drive anyone insane and not only that he's a perfect, Quidditch captain, and he has his O.W.L.S. that has to be difficult."

Narcissa and Andromeda made it to the Hufflepuff dormitory only to be met by a happy looking boy. He reached out for Andromeda and hugged her tightly. "Have you been crying?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Andromeda said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Where is Lucius tonight?" Ted said as he looked over to Narcissa.

"We got in a fight," Andromeda said lightly, as he let her go.

"Oh, I see," Ted smiled as he wiped her dry tears from her cheek.

Narcissa smiled at his gesture and Andromeda turned to her quickly. "Ted this is my baby sister Narcissa."

Ted let go of Andromeda and reached his hand out to Narcissa. "It's good to meet you," Narcissa took his hand and smiled.

"It's good to meet you too, Ted. I only wish she would have told me."

"It was just something she wanted to keep secret," Ted said as he let go of Narcissa's hand. "With the way she was brought up and who I am."

"That's understandable," Narcissa agreed . . .

Narcissa let out another shaky sob as she peered at Lucius's figure. That night when she accepted her sister's choice and saw the darkness in Lucius's is where this all began. It started that night and only continued when a week later she ran into Mythica once again . . .

Narcissa was staring out at the warm fall night. She was relaxing with Darlene out at the outside corridor. It was peaceful until Mythica came laughing up behind them.

"I heard Lucius and you got into a fight," Mythica laughed, causing Darlene and Narcissa to turn towards her.

"That was a few weeks ago, Mythica," Narcissa said with a roll of her eyes. "In fact we made up and we been practicing Quidditch for the last couple of days."

Mythica growled as she glared at Narcissa. "Couldn't you just give up on Lucius?"

"Not on your life," Narcissa said irately. "You're ruining the Lucius we know and love."

Mythica rolled her eyes as she took a threatening step towards Narcissa. "You just can't handle the fact that I have him and you don't."

Narcissa moved away from Darlene who was trying to keep her away from Mythica, "Lucius doesn't love you and you know that."

Mythica's lips snarled, "Lucius has some deep feeling for me."

Darlene laughed slightly, "Must be indigestion!"

"Shut up, Demure," Mythica snapped angrily.

"Leave her out of this," Narcissa growled. "What makes you think Lucius has any feeling for you. We already know he doesn't tell you everything."

"What does it matter if he didn't tell me about Andromeda? Lucius doesn't have any deep dark secrets."

Narcissa didn't know why she said what she said next, but it came out abruptly. "If you think that he doesn't have any deep dark secrets then your mistaken."

"What are you talking about, Narcissa?" Mythica said as she shifted uncomfortably.

"What happens at Lucius's home that's Lucius's deep dark secret," Narcissa said angrily.

"Narcissa whatever it is I don't think you should say it," Darlene said as she pulled Narcissa slightly away.

"No, I want to hear what she has to say," Mythica said simply. "I deserve to know Lucius deep dark secret."

Narcissa laughed, "Lucius and his father don't get along well."

"That's it?" Mythica asked coldly. "They don't get along."

"You put it together," Narcissa snapped.

Mythica's eyes suddenly went wide and she stared out at Narcissa. Darlene even gasped slightly. "Narcissa, you need to stop."

"Are you saying that Lucius is being . . . abused?" Mythica asked her cold demeanor fading.

Narcissa finally realized the extremity of everything she had said and her face fell. She stared back at Darlene who looked shocked at Narcissa.

"It all makes sense," Mythica said softly.

"I know you hate me, but please do not tell him," Narcissa pleaded.

"Of course I couldn't tell him without him telling me," Mythica said sadly as she walked away.

Narcissa watched as Mythica moved away before turning to Darlene. She looked incredibly sick and was even shaking.

"Is he really?" Darlene said as she slid down the wall. "That's horrible. I had no idea."

"Please don't tell him I told you," Narcissa said as she took in a shuttered breath.

"Of course I won't," Darlene said simply. "I just don't think you should've said anything. What if Mythica tells him?"

Narcissa choked up, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I won't say a word," Darlene said before she hugged Narcissa tightly . . .

Ever since that day, Narcissa was terrified that Mythica would slip up, but eventually it seemed that she would never speak what she said about Lucius. In fact Lucius and Mythica became closer. Mythica even became a nicer person. That didn't last long, however, after a couple of weeks life went back to normal and Lucius just couldn't handle it . . .

Narcissa sat beside Jack in the crowded common room. They were watching Darlene talk energetic to Lucius. Mythica was looking rather annoyed and Jack and Narcissa couldn't help but laugh at her.

"How long do you think it will take until she snaps?" Narcissa asked in a slightly whispered.

"Three seconds," Jack giggled. "Oh, there she goes."

Mythica leaned over Lucius to tell Darlene off. For one moment everyone believed that Lucius was going to do his occasionally ignorance of the problem, but instead he got up pushing Mythica off him.

"Mythica this has to stop," Lucius said abruptly and all eyes in the common room fell on them.

"Lucy," Mythica whimpered.

"Don't 'Lucy' me, Mythica," Lucius snapped, "This has to stop."

"What do you mean?" Mythica said as she sat up incredibly straight.

"What I mean is you can't be so rude to my friends."

"Lucius it's just—"

"No," Lucius said quickly. "Darlene is not annoying. She may bug you, but not me. I find her entertaining, and whenever I have a bad day she can cheer it up in a couple of seconds."

Lucius began to pace the room before turning in front of Mythica, "And Jack, you can't be angry at him. He's honestly my best friend. When we came here he was the reason we even met."

Mythica looked like she was going to say something, but Lucius continued. "Then the thing that was just too much is what you did to Andromeda. How could you throw her secret out into the world without her consent! And the way you treat Narcissa is absolutely disgusting."

"Lucius please," Mythica pleaded, but Lucius would not hear it.

"And one more thing if Rabastan likes you so much he can have you," Lucius said and the whole common room went still. "This is long overdo, but Mythica were over."

Mythica let out a dry sob and Lucius moved towards the door. Narcissa couldn't help it and she threw her arms around him.

"You finally did it," Narcissa whispered before falling in a fit of giggle.

"Oh, I see," Mythica said coldly as she got up. "This is all for her."

"Our break up is not for Narcissa," Lucius groaned as he let Narcissa go.

"Good because she told me that deep dark secret of yours," Mythica said in an angry passion.

Lucius turned to Mythica before glancing over at Narcissa.

"About your father," Mythica said coldly before Narcissa gasped slightly. Lucius turned to her knowing exactly what was said.

"Don't you dare say anything, Mythica," Lucius growled.

"What that your father abuses you? Oops," Mythica said before she left the common room, breaking into tears.

All eyes were on Lucius who did nothing but look down to the floor. He had never looked so venerable in his life. No one in the room looked at him with shame, but more with a look of pity and comfort. Lucius took in a deep breath before moving towards the door and leaving the common room the moment he was gone the room broke out into quick whispers.

Jack moved over to Narcissa and frowned. "You have to go after him."

"And say what?"

"You have to apologize or comfort him. Just do anything," Jack said he looked between angry and shock. Narcissa was even more surprised when a very inappropriate word left his mouth. "Why couldn't he tell me? All the bruises, the 'I don't know what you're talking about'—I've been so stupid."

Narcissa took a deep breath before moving to the common room door. She rushed out before running down the cold stone hallway following the sound of Lucius's footsteps.

"Lucius . . . come back . . . please," Narcissa called out as she rushed towards him. "I'm sorry!"

"How could you tell her that, Cissy?" Lucius asked quietly as he turned to her slowly.

"Lucius it just slipped out," Narcissa said quietly.

"So, you just told her without asking me," Lucius said coldly.

"Lucius I didn't want it to happen especially not like that," Narcissa said softly.

"I trusted you, Cissy," Lucius said angrily.

At that moment Narcissa mind flew back to several years ago . . .

Flashback to Flashback

Narcissa sat in front of Lucius as they played a simple game of chess. Lucius was of course winning, but it wasn't like Narcissa was paying attention. Her eyes were stuck on the huge bruise on the side of Lucius's face. Being the nosey little girl she was she let the question flow from her lips.

"Where did you get that bruise?"

Lucius froze, with Narcissa's Bishop squirming in his hand. "What?"

"That bruise where'd you get it?"

"At home," Lucius said shortly as he placed Narcissa's Bishop down in a pile with the rest of her pieces.

"Did you fall?"

"No."

"Did you sleep on a rock?"

"Who sleeps on rocks?"

"I don't know."

"I didn't sleep on a rock."

"Then how'd you get it?" Narcissa asked slowly.

"My father," Lucius said bitterly as Narcissa looked at him in confusion. "Narcissa, you can keep a secret . . . right?"

"If it's worth keeping," Narcissa stated hearing her mother use this line many times.

"Well it is. My father is a very powerful man at least that's what my mother says," Lucius whispered.

"I'll keep it Lucius," Narcissa promised.

"When my father gets mad he hits me and sometimes it's a spell," Lucius said awkwardly.

"Like on accident?"

"No," Lucius said sadly, "On purpose."

"But that's not right!"

Flashback to Flashback ends

"Lucius it just slipped out," Narcissa pleaded as she made her way towards him.

Lucius opened his mouth to speak, but before he could Professor Slughorn came into view.

He had a look of pity as he stared at Lucius, "Professor Dumbledore would like to speak with you, Mr. Malfoy."

Lucius sighed heavily before turning to Narcissa. He only gazed at her sadly and with that look he followed Slughorn away . . .

Narcissa should have known that she was in trouble, but she kept hoping that he would come back and miraculously forgive her. Though he didn't and things only became far worse . . .

Lucius came back into the practically empty common room. He looked highly upset as he peered at those that waited for him. Narcissa was sitting alone by the fire as Jack and Darlene sat in the couch in front of him.

"What did Dumbledore say?" Darlene asked as she got up off the couch to hug him.

"I'm going to have a full inquiry with the Ministry. I of course have to go home and be told that I'm a not allowed to say anything unless I want to be thrown into the next dimension," Lucius said bitterly as he moved Darlene off of him.

"They're sending you home?" Jack asked softly

"That's what I just said Jack," Lucius spat as he moved towards the dormitory.

"I'm so sorry, Lucius," Narcissa sighed as she looked up to him.

"You should be," Lucius said angrily as he glared at her. "All this time I thought you were my friend."

"Lucius, I am your friend," Narcissa said as she got up. "I just made a mistake. Mythica just makes so angry."

"You just made things worse!" Lucius shouted.

"I'm sorry," Narcissa pleaded as she took a wavering step towards him.

"That's all you ever have to say," Lucius said angrily, "I never thought I would say this, but I don't think I can be your friend any more."

Narcissa took a deep and unsettling breath before speaking her one worded question. "What?"

"I can't be with someone who's going to blurt things like that out," Lucius said coldly. "You're just as bad as Mythica."

"No, no, you don't mean that," Narcissa said as she found tears threaten to escape her eyes.

"But I do," Lucius said blankly. He's own eyes glassing slightly.

"Lucius she said she was sorry," Jack pleaded as he got up off the couch and moved towards Lucius.

"It's not enough," Lucius said coldly. "You have no idea what it will be like now. People will treat me different and my father—who knows what that's going to be like."

Narcissa practically threw herself onto Lucius, "No, no, no!"

"Narcissa, stop it," Lucius said as he shook her off him. "You knew this would happen."

Narcissa fell to the ground in a heaping mess. She couldn't control her tears as they streamed down her face. "Please, I love you."

The room went silent. Even Narcissa's tears seemed to stop for the moment. Lucius's breath went uneven as he looked down at her. "What?"

"I love you, Lucius Malfoy!" Narcissa snapped as she looked up at him. "Why do you think I would tell her something like that in the first place? I wanted her to see that she didn't truly know anything about you!"

Lucius seemed to shake as he clenched his face. "I told you along time ago why I thought relationships were pointless and this is why. You have truly hurt me Narcissa Black."

Narcissa felt her tears leave her eyes once again, "Lucius, please, we can work this out."

"No, we can't," Lucius said simply before he turned out of the room.

"Lucius don't go!"

"Narcissa the feeling was mutual," Lucius said, as he stopped in the door frame. "But I don't think it could work out now. I don't think I could ever look at you the same again."

"All because of this," Narcissa asked as she felt a sob choke up in her throat.

"Yes, all because of this," Lucius said, as he looked at her. "You were the only person I could trust and look what happened."

"Lucius, please, I need you!" Narcissa shouted as her sob released herself. "You've always been there."

With her words Lucius left the room leaving her on the floor.

Narcissa could only watch him leave and her eyes filled with tears. She sobbed violently as Darlene rushed to her side and Jack tried to pull her off the floor . . .

And that is where she was now sobbing violently on the floor. She had messed up, she knew it and the whole world knew it. Narcissa had hurt the man she loved. Yes, she could say it. She was in love with Lucius Malfoy and he had claimed to feel the same for her. She had ruined everything. Her friendship with the boy was no more and whatever could've been wouldn't be.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lucius was gone for weeks and Narcissa had fallen into the worse depression she could ever imagine. Her letters to him had gone unanswered the only way she heard about his trials were from her own parents. It was now Christmas break and Narcissa could only hope that with time things would get better.