Chapter Eight- Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Narcissa and Bellatrix stood at the top of the railing both craning down their necks to hear the loud harsh voices of their parents. They had been yelling for hours about Andromeda and her boyfriend, Theodore Tonks. It had been quite an argument. They had called her 'the stupidest daughter known to wizard kind' and all Andromeda had to say was 'because she was in love'.

Bellatrix sighed as she stretched back, cracking her neck in the process. "That girl is incredibly dense."

Narcissa turned her head to peer at her sister, "Bella she's in love."

"Love," Bellatrix said before she chuckled. "Love does not exist in our world."

Narcissa blinked as she watched her sister walk away from the railing. She followed after her, "Did you and Rodolphus get into a fight?"

"Rodolphus is a moron," Bellatrix stated angrily as she turned back and looked at Narcissa with a deep frown.

"What did he do?" Narcissa asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"He wanted to see other people," Bellatrix said as she let out a frustrated sigh. "Said that we've dated for a long time and it was time to see if we truly are the ones for each other. I loved him, but now I don't know. He wants to get back together, but I don't think I'll ever be able to absolutely forgive him."

Narcissa sighed, "He wants to know if you're the one. Isn't that a good thing?"

Clucking her tongue Bellatrix moved down the stairs, "That's like me saying Lucius only wants to make sure he doesn't want to be your friend."

Narcissa groaned and walked her way down to her sister, "It's nothing like that and that was just cruel."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, "I still cannot believe that you told Mythica Windle and she told everyone."

"I know," Narcissa said as she paced the room, "It was a moment of stupidity. I just hate her so much that I wanted to see her crumple into a thousand pieces, but of course she brought me down with her."

Bellatrix sat down on the bench facing the room that Andromeda was receive her lecture, "He'll get over it."

Narcissa folded her arms across her chest and moved to the small window to the left of Bellatrix, "I don't think so. You don't know what he looked like. He looked like he was about to exploded into flames. His eyes went cold and it froze me the moment I looked at them."

Bellatrix leaned back to rest her head on the wall behind her, "I've seen that look in him. It's wonderful, so full of power. Full of absolute control."

"You're odd Bella," Narcissa said as she turned around and leaned against the cold window.

"I like a man with power," Bellatrix said simply.

Narcissa chuckled before she groaned in frustration, "He hasn't written me back! I've sent him thirteen letters each about two pages long."

Bellatrix laughed cruel at his sister, "Let him breathe. Make him think that you want nothing to do with him."

"I'm not like you," Narcissa said simply as she ignored her elder sister's comment. "I can't believe I told him I loved him."

Bellatrix got up from the bench and walked to Narcissa. She stopped a couple of feet in front of her. "And that's where you messed up big time, Cissy. You used the word 'love' to tell him that you don't want him to leave you—to give up on your friendship. All you did was scare him away. Lucius Malfoy doesn't know what love is. How could he? An abusive father and a too frighten to do anything mother. How was he supposed to handle it?"

Bellatrix looked out the window and peered off into the distance, "I told Rodolphus I loved him. Three days later he told me that we should see other people just to make sure that we're right for each other. That's a lie. He just couldn't say it back."

"Bella I'm—"

"And you know what's worse, Cissy?" Bellatrix asked silently. "Love is what's going to tear our family apart and cause us all to choose sides."

Narcissa knew that Bellatrix was right and all she could do was sigh sadly. They stayed in silence for a couple of seconds before the door slammed open.

"YOU'RE ALL LIVING IN THE PAST!"

Andromeda had shoved herself out of the study. Moving quickly she threw herself out the front door without her winter cloak leaving her family behind her.

Her father ran out of the study and threw open the front door, "ANDROMEDA BLACK, YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"

The Black family watched as Andromeda continued to walk through the snow to who knows where. She left without anything she owned.

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

Shivering uncontrollably Andromeda Black opened the window to the big spacious manor with shaking hands. With the small glass window half way open Andromeda squeezed her body into the manor and landed softly on the desk below the window. She then shut the window and turned to the room.

It was a large room full of all kinds of green. It was very tidy and was absolutely warm. She smiled as she lit up the room and ran to the door. She peered out to see if anyone was coming. Andromeda sighed before she cleared her throat and whispered loudly one name, "Lucius Malfoy!"

Andromeda waited a moment before someone peered out of one of the rooms on the left. Lucius blinked a couple of times before he exited the room, "Dromeda?"

"Sorry just to jump in like this, but I didn't know were else to go," Andromeda said with a shrug as Lucius ran a hand through his loose hair.

"Um . . . okay," Lucius said as he opened the door to the room he was in once again. "I was just reading in here if you want to talk . . . or something."

Lucius walked back into the room and Andromeda followed him. It was a small study full of random stacks of books.

"Sorry for the mess I've been stealing books from my father's study," Lucius said as he picked up a few books.

Andromeda watched him move around the room placing books on stacks and then picking them back up. "Lucius, I wanted to say sorry. I know I haven't yet and you're probably just surprised I'm here after our fight—"

"It's alright Dromeda," Lucius said with a shrug. "I know you didn't mean those things and I'm sorry for what I said as well."

Andromeda giggled as she walked towards him giving him a huge hug. "All is forgiven. Now can I stay here for a few days?"

"Why?" Lucius asked as she let him go.

"My parents are doing nothing but yelling at me. I couldn't handle it anymore," Andromeda said sadly as she threw herself down in a warn armchair.

"But why come here?" Lucius asked as he set some books down on the desk. "Couldn't you go to your Aunt's or Ted's?"

Andromeda let out a cruel laugh that was almost a complete compliment of Bellatrix's laugh. "My Aunt's that is absolutely crazy! I would never be except back into her house when I'm dating a muggle!"

"Okay, that was stupid on my part, but what about Ted?"

"I'm scared to tell him how bad its gotten at my home," Andromeda sighed, "He knows nothing about are fights and that the way I want it. Ted is a sweet boy and I know that he will be crushed to know that I'm going through this. Not only that, but I can't let him know that they hate him."

Lucius sighed as he leaned against his desk, "I know you hate to hear this, but you have to tell him that your family is never going to accept him. He's a muggle and you're a pureblood. In our society that's never accepted and it may never be. You're going to have to choose. Sooner or later you'll have to choose."

"I've already made my choice," Andromeda said simply, "And that's Ted. I've chosen Ted. I just have to wait till I'm old enough to move out. I know I'll never be able to see my family again and you, but it's the consequences. I'm in love, Lucius."

Lucius smiled, "Well, we'll not worry about that until the time comes, but as for now could I get anything for you?"

"Actually you can answer some questions for me," Andromeda replied as she leaned slightly forward in her chair.

"If they're in reason," Lucius replied slowly as he looked over at Andromeda.

"Alright then," Andromeda said as she sat up. "Why are you stealing your father's books?"

"Because I want them in my side of the house," Lucius said simply.

"So, you've recruited yourself to the area around your bedroom?"

"Of course," Lucius said coldly, "They never come down here and I can avoid them. I'm going to avoid them until they let me go back to school and the Ministry leaves me alone!"

Andromeda gave Lucius a small smile, "Is it really that bad?"

"I had to lie to the Ministry or else I would get killed. So I told them I have no idea what they're talking about. Of course they know it's a lie, but without my consent they can't do anything to my father. He leaves me alone most of the time, however, I did get the beating of my life when I came home. I was out for days. You can probably tell . . . right?" Lucius said as he pointed to the fading bruises on his face.

"But at least he's leaving you alone now?"

"Yeah, but I also receive nothing from now on," Lucius shrugged, "I'm just hoping that books don't cost so much next year. I'm wondering if I should just skip school all together and get a job?"

"Lucius that's stupid," Andromeda replied sadly, "You're the smartest kid in your grade. You need to finish school! I'm sure my parents will support you for the remaining school years?"

"That's too much to ask, Dromeda," Lucius said simply as he placed himself on top of the desk that was facing Andromeda.

"Why isn't your mother doing anything?"

"All she does is cry and tells me that this is my fault," Lucius said as he rolled his eyes. "She's such a coward. She lets him do whatever he wants to me and just deals with it. Her own son! It's pathetic."

Andromeda frowned, "But it's not your fault. We all know that it's Mythica's and sadly enough Narcissa's."

"Sadly enough I didn't have the heart to tell my mother that Narcissa was to blame," Lucius said with a shrug.

Andromeda nodded it was obvious to everyone that Mrs. Malfoy really liked Narcissa Black. So much even that she claimed her son would marry the girl one day if he knew what was good for him.

"You know she's really sorry," Andromeda said softly after a brief silence. "She does nothing but cry."

Lucius seemed to turn cold, "She should feel that way."

"Lucius," Andromeda snapped, "My sister loves you with all her heart. It was a mistake. How can you make her suffer like this?"

Lucius slid off the desk and growled, "Love is a foolish emotion that will always lead to this," he said angrily as he pointed to the door. "Love is what convinced my mother to marry that stupid man! Love is what brought me to this place! Love is what keeps my mother from ever telling him to stop! Love is what made me afraid to tell anyone what was going on! Love is what possessed Narcissa to tell Mythica my secret! Love is worthless and only leads to pain!"

Andromeda bit her lip at his words, "You're wrong, Lucius."

"Why? Has love been so wonderful to you now that it's forcing you to choose?"

"I see the good in it, Lucius Malfoy," Andromeda said coldly, "And so do you."

Lucius picked up a stack of books and moved to the window, "I can't forgive her; she's the same as everyone else."

Andromeda sighed as she moved towards him. "Let it go and realize that she's the only one who will ever truly care for you. She always has."

Lucius nodded as he placed the books down, "I tried. I've tried to write her back millions of times. I've gone through stacks of parchment. But every time I write a letter I think back to what happened and how she told Mythica that. How she just blurted it out without a second thought. It comes into my mind at all times and I can't let it go—I just can't. I've tried and I still try because I lo—It doesn't matter."

Andromeda smiled at him, "Finish that sentence Lucius, please."

"No," Lucius snorted as he turned to the window.

"That's the reason you have to forgive her," Andromeda giggled, "How long have you loved her?"

"When I think about it I realize that it has been since the moment I met her."

Sighing contently Andromeda threw her arms around Lucius, "Lucy Goosey is in love."

Lucius blushed, "Dromeda stop calling me that."

"Just forgive her and you can see if she's the one and all that wonderful stuff."

Lucius sighed, "I don't want to get married . . . ever."

"Okay, I admit that 'the one' is a little overboard seeing as you guys have never actually had a relationship. However, Lucius, I doubt that you will end up like your parents when you marry."

"No one knows that," Lucius sighed.

"I do," Andromeda giggled, "Bella and Cissy both know as well. They know that you'll be great. Bellatrix has even mentioned a couple of times how she should dump Rodolphus just so she can marry you."

Lucius gagged as he moved away from Andromeda. "I'm tired of talking about this."

Andromeda nodded in agreement, "We have complicated love lives."

"Come on, I'll take you out to eat. You can fill me in on school and Quidditch."

Andromeda smiled brightly, "I would like that Lucius, however, you won't be pleased about Quidditch."

Lucius shook his head, "You guys suck without me."

"Hey, everyone's worried about you," Andromeda said in mock anger, "You haven't written a single person."

Lucius laughed, "I'll work on that."

With that said, Andromeda linked arms with Lucius as he led them out of the room.

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

Narcissa heard the window crash followed by a rather nasty word. The sound made her jump from her bed. She flew from her room and made her way quickly to her sister's bedroom. Not bothering to knock she threw the door open and stared at the shocked Andromeda Black.

"You've been gone for five days!" Narcissa whispered roughly.

Andromeda gave a small smile before Narcissa moved more into the room. "I know you all are angry, but I had to get out of here."

Narcissa groaned, "So, you ran off without telling us where you were going."

"If you knew where I went you'd only come and take me away."

"You went to Ted's, didn't you?" Narcissa asked angrily.

"No, I didn't," Andromeda snapped as she moved to her window.

"Where did you go then?"

"None of your business," Andromeda said as she removed the cloak that she was wearing.

Narcissa peered at the cloak and recognized it immediately. "Lucius—you went to Lucius's house!"

"Keep your voice down, Cissy," Andromeda said as she slapped her hand across her sister's mouth. "I didn't know where else to go."

"But—Lucius," Narcissa said her eyes tearing slightly.

"I've been friends with him forever and I knew he would take me in."

"But we're in a fight right now," Narcissa said as she threw herself down on the bed.

Andromeda sighed, "I'm sorry, but what do you want me to do . . . ignore Lucius just because you're angry at him?"

Narcissa shook her head and wiped her eyes with her right index finger. "No—how is he?"

"Miserable," Andromeda said simply, "I think he was glad to see another human being. He's really lonely with everyone ignore him."

"What do you mean by that?" Narcissa snapped in reply. "I've written him thirteen times!"

"I meant his parents," Andromeda said as she went to sit by her sister, "Plus the Ministry isn't going to let him come back to school until O.W.L.S."

Narcissa frowned, "So, I won't be able to see him till the spring?"

"Narcissa, you know he has no control over this."

Narcissa groaned and fell against the bed, "I'm sorry! How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

Andromeda ruffled Narcissa's hair before giggling. "He's been trying to forgive you that is a good sign, isn't it?"

Narcissa sat up and smiled brightly, "Really?"

"I mean he's still really upset," Andromeda said honestly, "But I know that he'll forgive you. I know it."

"No one knows that," Narcissa frowned, "Our relationship was over before it ever began. I never got to be with him."

Andromeda gave a frustrated sigh, "Cissy."

"No, Dromeda, I'm right," Narcissa said in an awkward happiness. "I screwed up every chance I had with Lucius. Everything that could've been won't be. I'll never get to converse about our relationship or even argue about it. We'll never hold hands. Never hug each other as lovers. I won't be able to ever cuddle with him. Most of all I'll never get to kiss him to show him I love him."

Andromeda hugged her sister, "Narcissa, I know that Lucius loves you and he wants everything you mentioned as well. He wants to feel and believe that someone can actually love him."

Narcissa nodded, "I guess I will have to wait."

"Narcissa continue to be you," Andromeda said simply. "I can see that you've been talking with Bella and no offence, but she's not right in this area. Bellatrix will never understand what you feel for Lucius—never. I've seen it in your eyes, which sparkle whenever he's near. It's beautiful Narcissa."

Narcissa got up off the bed, "I just wish he could forgive me."

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

It was months and then there he was one weekend in May just standing in front of the common room door. Narcissa didn't see him as he came in for her eyes were focused on the window behind her. Then she heard the scream from her best friend Darlene and her heart stopped

"LUCIUS MALFOY! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"

Narcissa turned from the window and stared at Lucius, who happened to be in Darlene's hug of death at the moment. A mixture of emotions flew through her body, pain, anger, joy, and sadness. She didn't know how to act or react to what she saw.

Others in the common room joined Darlene in welcoming their friend: embracing him, shaking his hand, smiling at him, and even pleading for forgiveness.

Narcissa watched as Mythica whispered in Lucius's ear. Her heart fell to her stomach as Lucius turned to her and smiled. Mythica laughed before throwing her arms around the boy. Why was he doing this to her?

With that gesture Narcissa fled the room unable to watch the reunion of Mythica and Lucius. It was too much. Here he was not forgiving her for what she did, but he could forgive Mythica as if nothing had happened between them.

Narcissa slammed herself on her bed and could feel the sharp trickle of tears threaten to escape. She took in a deep sigh and rolled over onto her stomach as she heard the door open.

"I saw you run up here," a deep male voice said as she sat down on Darlene's bed.

"Why do you think that is Jack?"

"Because he just let Mythica hug him," Jack said in a tone that displayed absolute obviousness.

"Why would he do that?" Narcissa snapped, "I did the same thing and he didn't forgive me."

Jack took in a big gulp of air, "Mythica testified on Lucius's behalf."

"What? That little hussy! Couldn't she accept the fact that it's over between them?"

Jack laughed softly before padding Narcissa on the back. "She has a heart when it comes to Lucius."

"So, let me guess they're back together?" Narcissa growled as she sat up on her bed.

"Hardly," Jack said simply. "Lucius told me it was nice of her to say she made the whole thing up. It caused him to regain all the rights of a Malfoy, but he can't actually trust her again. He just wants to remain slightly close incase she goes crazy again."

Narcissa groaned, "So basically Lucius let her lie in court just so his dad wouldn't be mad at him?"

"Lucius can't live by himself. If he did he'd have to quit school."

Narcissa frowned, "Stupid girl is going to be all over him again and he'll never forgive me."

"Mythica's going out with Rabastan thinking it will make Lucius jealous," Jack laughed as he stood up. "Give it time. Lucius just needs to work out forgiving you."

"I just want to be his friend again," Narcissa sighed as her head fell onto her pillow. "Just friends that's fine with me."

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

Lucius didn't talk to Narcissa once when the O.W.L.S. we're on schedule and because of which she didn't see him once. Now she would have to go back home without saying she was sorry without him forgiving her and without the reassurance that they were friends again.

Narcissa sunk into her seat on the Hogwarts Express and let out a hurt sigh. Darlene turned from the compartment door and gave her friend a sad and knowing smile.

"You'll make it," Darlene replied before she left the compartment to find her boyfriend Jack Parkinson.

Narcissa snorted as she turned to the window and watched as Lucius came up to Andromeda giving the girl a big hug. Biting her lip Narcissa sunk lower into her chair and let the tears spring from her eyes.

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

"Lucius Malfoy," Andromeda greeted as she was thrown up into a pair of muscular arms.

"Andromeda Black," Lucius smiled as he let her down.

"You seem excited," Andromeda smiled as she raised one eyebrow to look up at her friend.

"Ecstatic," Lucius replied as he peered around the area.

"Looking for someone?"

"Yeah, where's your sister?" Lucius asked as he looked back down at Andromeda.

"Finally going to talk to her?" Andromeda asked as she smiled brightly up at him.

"More," Lucius said with a wink as he moved onto the train.

Andromeda shook her head unsure of what Lucius had in mind.

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

Narcissa sighed as she brought her knees up to her chest to bury her head into her hands and knees. She was about to sob her heart out when she heard the door of the compartment open.

"Did you find Jack, Darlene?" Narcissa asked her voice being muffled by her hands.

Darlene didn't answer, but instead sat beside Narcissa. The moment they sat down Narcissa knew that it wasn't Darlene not in the least. She recognized the way they sat, the way they fiddled with their thumbs, and the way they smelt . . . that one and only smell that was Lucius Malfoy.

Narcissa lifted her head from her knees and stared teary eyed at Lucius Malfoy. He was looking at her with his face screwed up and his left eyebrow lifted.

"Lucius, what are you doing here?" Narcissa asked quietly as she placed her feet, once again, on the ground.

Lucius took in a deep breath, "We need to talk."

Narcissa let out a hopeful smile, "Yeah?"

"I think I may have overreacted," Lucius said simply as he leaned more into his seat.

"Oh, no, not at all," Narcissa said as she suddenly sat up very straight, "You had every right to be mad at me."

"I acted like a child, Narcissa," Lucius said as he shook his head. "What I should have done was realize why you behaved in that way."

"How I behaved was stupid, Lucius," Narcissa disagreed, "If I truly had your best interest in heart I wouldn't have let my dislike for Mythica overshadow my love for you."

Lucius's face turned slightly pink as Narcissa mentioned love, "About that—"

Narcissa placed a shaky finger over his lips, "Yeah, about that—Lucius I know I upset you and even though you're in here talking to me I know it will be a long time before you truly forgive me. I can wait to see how you feel—I want to be your friend again."

Lucius remained silent for sometime as he stared at Narcissa's crystal blue eyes, "Is that what you want to be friends?"

"Of course, Lucius," Narcissa said quickly, her pulse rising inside of her, "Your friendship meant the world to me!"

Lucius bit his bottom lip as he looked at her with his eyes full of sadness, "I don't want to be your friend anymore, Narcissa."

Narcissa felt as if someone had slapped her across the face, "WHAT! THEN WHY ARE YOU IN HERE, LUCIUS MALFOY!"

Lucius scooted back slightly at her outburst. He stared at her as her face turned red and her glassy eyes finally let out what they had been holding.

"I have been nothing but patient with you, Lucius. I waited and waited and waited—I waited for you to grow up and say, 'Hey Narcissa I forgive you. Let's be friends' and now you don't EVEN WANT TO BE MY FRINED!" Narcissa argued her voice was shaking along with her body. Lucius couldn't help, but chuckle at her outburst.

"THIS ISN'T FUNNY!" Narcissa shouted loudly at him throwing her hand to his face.

Lucius caught her hand within his own before it ever met his face. Narcissa broke into horrible sobs as he just smiled down at her.

"Why are you being so cruel, Lucius . . . why?" Narcissa sobbed as Lucius let go of her shaky hand.

Lucius chuckled before he placed a hand underneath her chin forcing her to look up at him. "Calm down, Cissy, you're overreacting."

"Overreacting," Narcissa said angrily through her sobs.

Lucius rubbed his finger underneath her chin and smiled. "Yes, I said I didn't want to be your friend—"

"I kind of gathered that Lucius," Narcissa spat as she looked up at Lucius, and noticed the humor dancing in his eyes. "Why do you think this is funny?"

"Because I love you, Cissy," Lucius said catching her off guard.

Narcissa felt her mouth open in close. She didn't know what to say, so she continued to watch Lucius.

"Now, I'm going to do what I wanted to do when I came in here," Lucius demanded as he pulled her face slightly up to his.

"Lucius," Narcissa breathed slightly before Lucius placed his lips on top of hers.

Narcissa felt her eyes go wide as she felt Lucius's lips on top of hers. It was a whole new experience. An experience she thought would be lost to her forever. She smiled against his lips as she closed her eyes and brought her arms to rest against his neck pulling him closer to her.

Narcissa felt Lucius push away from her and she opened her eyes to stare up at his gray ones.

"I don't want to be your friend," Lucius said simply.

Narcissa giggled as she grabbed the back of Lucius's head and pulled him down to her once again kissing him with everything she had.

A low wolf whistle was heard coming from the doorway and Narcissa reluctantly let go of Lucius. They both turned in the direction of the laugh and noticed Jack and Darlene laughing as if there was no tomorrow.

"Do you mind?" Lucius replied slightly as he hung unto Narcissa.

"Actually we do," Darlene said as she walked in, "This is our compartment as well."

"You can find another," Narcissa snapped at Darlene.

Darlene blinked a couple of times before Jack burst out into loud outrageous laughter.

Narcissa turned her attention back to Lucius and stared up at his deep gray eyes. He winked at her slightly before kissing her lightly on the lips. As he let go Narcissa broke out into a fit of giggles throwing herself at Lucius and giving him a tight hug.