Chapter Eleven – Torn Piece of Parchment

The short laugh was enough to throw Narcissa out of her musing. She glared over at Darlene as she recounted something hilarious to Lucius. His face lit up and he shook in order to hold in his laughter. No matter how angry Narcissa was she couldn't help but smile at him carefree demeanor.

" . . . It was rather hilarious. Jack just toppled over Mythica and sent them both flying into the mud. Mythica yelped so loud that I was surprised I could even hear her. It was bloody brilliant, Lucius, absolutely brilliant!"

Narcissa looked into Lucius's gray eyes and noticed how amused he was. "I wish I was there. Though she'd probably come run over—Lucius, Jack just tried to murder me!" Lucius's voice went extremely high as he mocked Mythica causing Narcissa to chuckle slightly.

Darlene choked up in laughter and hugged Lucius tightly. Narcissa felt a pang of jealously and wondered when did this happen?

Narcissa sighed as she got up from her seat and moved towards the girl's dormitory. How was it that everything had fallen apart? What did she do to deserve this?

Entering her room Narcissa slammed the door shut. She fell onto her bed and shouted angrily into her pillow. In a little over three days she severed most ties with her sister yelled at he boyfriend until he refused to speak with her and missed all her classes because she was too busy crying.

"This is stupid. This is stupid. This is stupid," Narcissa muttered as she rolled over to look at the roof. What was one suppose to do in a situation like this? Apologize to all parties involved or wait until they understand her views?

The door opened and Darlene walked in slowly, "Hey Cissy, Lucius went down to the library. I think it's time you see him."

"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked bitterly.

"You were kind of harsh," Darlene said as she leaned against the doorframe. "With the whole 'muggle loving orphan', 'spawn of the devil', 'attention steal hog', and all those other weird disgusting things you called him. Where do you come up with all these things?"

Narcissa blushed, "Did I really call him an orphan?"

"And that he's parents hate his guts," Darlene said before Narcissa groaned.

"I was so angry at Dromeda that I totally forgot to use common sense," Narcissa said as she jumped up from her bed. "He's still mad at me, isn't he?"

"No," Darlene sighed, "He's disappointed in you. He thinks you're behaving like Bella and Mythica, 'a deadly combination' as he calls it."

Narcissa snorted as she ran her fingers through her hair, "It's just Dromeda is my sister and loving Ted will break up our family. I won't be her sister anymore. I have to pretend like I don't know her. Than if I support her my family will ignore me as well and not only that, but I would lose Lucius."

Darlene smiled, "That's so cute, Cissy. You're in love with Lucy Goosey."

"I don't know when I became such a jealous person, but it hurts that he kept this from me."

"Andromeda is a good friend of his," Darlene suggested as she watched Narcissa pace the room.

"I know," Narcissa growled, "But part of me wants Lucius all too myself. I'm tired of everyone always around. I feel like Lucius and I never have time alone. Everyone is so in love with Lucius! It becomes very tiresome."

Darlene let out a laugh, "You know why that is, right?"

Narcissa lifted a blond eyebrow a sign to have Darlene continue.

"My mother being a journalist helps me understand people's psyche. I think muggles call it psychology. Anyway, everyone behaves the way they do for a reason. Lucius can get along with anyone. His abrasive arrogance may put off some, but most find it addicting. You can't help but feel slightly powerful when talking to Lucius. It's as if his immense power rubs off on you."

Narcissa nodded, "But what does this have to do with everyone loving him?"

Darlene sighed, "You told me when he was young that he used this 'ability' to attract others to him. You mentioned that you clicked right away shortly followed by your two sisters. Even your mother and father gained a certain liking for him.

"That was the same for me. Lucius came over one day and I was automatically attracted to him. And my mother adored him just found him absolutely perfect. Even though I was so young when he suddenly disappeared it hurt more than it should.

"Jack told me that when Lucius entered the Hogwarts Express he and Mythica clicked instantly with him as well. Not only that, but the whole Slytherin House fell under his spell. Lucius makes friends with a simple smile. One 'hello' and you automatically want to know more."

Narcissa sighed, "That's all true. I mean when Lucius came into the study and offered to read my storybook to me I just couldn't say no. He was so nice, yet he held this air like he was better than me. I remember how open he was with me."

"His attitude is so addicting and yet," Darlene said before moving closer to Narcissa. "Weirdly enough Lucius doesn't have this affect at his own home. His father could care less that Lucius exist. His own mother sends him off to friend's homes, so she doesn't have to deal with him. Isn't that rather strange?"

Darlene paused as she tried to organize her thoughts, "I believe that Lucius needs love from other people to prove that he is in fact loved. Not that he'd ever admit to the fact that he needs approval and praise from others to survive, but I know it's true. Considering all he's been through it could only be true."

Narcissa took in Darlene's words before frowning at her reflection in the mirror. "I know, and I'll have to get use to it, but now with everything going on its hard. I just want him to know that I'm here for him."

"You're needy, Narcissa," Darlene said quickly. "It's the youngest child syndrome, so use to the attention. Lucius will come around he always does. If you want him to accept you, Narcissa, you're going to have to tell him what's wrong."

"Darlene, I don't—"

"Narcissa, he's in the library! Go and talk to him—NOW!"

Blinking a couple of times Narcissa moved towards the door only to pause briefly. "Thank you, Darlene."

"Anytime," Darlene smiled as Narcissa left the room.

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

Lucius sat at a lone desk in the dingy library. He was looking at a book that would help him with his Divinations—yuck—when a certain blond hair girl coughed to get his attention. Looking up with cold gray eyes Lucius snorted at Narcissa before turning his attention back to his text.

"Lucius don't be like that," Narcissa sighed. "I've come to apologize. I realize I behaved childish. I mean you were doing a good thing for Dromeda and I just became selfish and unreasonable. All those things I said were nasty and just plain cruel."

Lucius gave a small smile, "Honestly I thought it was quite funny. No ones ever called me . . . what was it—oh yes, a 'muggle loving orphan'."

"Why is it every time I get angry I become so—"

"Evil, derange, lunatic—"

"Enough," Narcissa pouted as she sat down in front of him. "This whole thing is just confusing me."

Lucius smiled a bit before regarding her seriously. "What are you talking about, Cissy?"

"How could Dromeda do this to us?" Narcissa whispered before she looked him directly in the eye.

Seeing how solemn she was Lucius couldn't help but stare into her eyes as well. This wasn't something he was sure he knew how to answer. He understood Andromeda's reasoning, but at the same time he knew exactly what Narcissa was going through.

"She loves him," Lucius shrugged, "And for her that's enough to leave her family, her wealth, and her respectability. It's quite brave."

"I'm tired of her being so brave," Narcissa spat as she turned attention to the window behind Lucius. "I'm just so tired of her behaving like a martyr. I understand that she loves him . . . I really do, but what about us—her family?"

Lucius sighed as he leaned on the table closing some distance between them. "You have to understand that this is here decision and you have no part in it?"

"Why did you help encourage it?" Narcissa asked as she looked down at the table. "Why did you take her to him every night? Why let her get so close? Why would agree to go to her wedding? WHY?"

Lucius watched her shake her head throwing her blond hair from side to side. He slowing grabbed her chin and lifted her head up to look at him. "Narcissa, Andromeda means a lot to me. She is an excellent friend. Without her help I would have never forgiven you. Now it's time I return the favor."

Narcissa scrunched up her brow, "She helped you?"

"Last Christmas she came by," Lucius sighed, "And we had a decent talk and it made me realize how much I loved you."

Narcissa blushed before Lucius began to stroke her cheek. "This is a lot to take in. I'm just so hurt that she'd confide in you and you'd keep secrets from me."

Lucius let his hand fall from her face, "Cissy it's not like I wanted to."

"And I don't know why I'm so jealous of everyone being around you," Narcissa groaned, "I thought this was going to be simple."

"You thought dating me was going to be simple?" Lucius asked with a slight laugh.

Narcissa grinned, "No, but I was hoping it would be."

"Tell you what," Lucius said as he packed up his things. "Let's go do something."

"Like what?" Narcissa smiled.

"Anything you want," Lucius replied as he got up from his chair.

Narcissa got up from her chair and moved towards him. She threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "I'm sorry for being this way."

Lucius held her close, "You've done nothing wrong. I think you may have PMS just a tad, though."

With a roll of her eyes, Narcissa punched him painfully in the arm. "You're such a jerk."

"I do try," Lucius replied as Narcissa moved out of his embrace with a glare plastered on her face.

Lucius moved towards the library door followed quickly by Narcissa. "Wait I have one more question," Narcissa called to him.

Lucius stopped and Narcissa continued, "Are you still going to Andromeda's wedding?"

"Yes, I'm going to walk her down he aisle," Lucius said calmly. "I never back out of a promise."

"You think I could go?" Narcissa asked shyly.

Lucius smiled, "I think Dromeda would like that a lot."

With a smile Narcissa grabbed Lucius's hand and they continued to walk down the hall.

"Now what did you want to do?"

"I can think of something," Narcissa teased as she started to pull Lucius towards the Hogwarts grounds. "I want to watch the sunset and stuff like that." Lucius smiled and let her lead the way.

They entered the chilly autumn night quickly and Narcissa led them to part of the brick wall. Lucius lifted her on top of it before getting on to sit beside her. "This is all you want to do?"

Giggling slightly Narcissa leaned onto his shoulder, "We haven't done this in awhile."

"No," Lucius agreed before kissing the top of her head, "We have not."

"Yeah, gag me," Jack said as he came over. "Your idiotic bird woke me up, Luc."

The couple turned to Jack. He was fuming while holding a very official looking letter.

"Sorry mate," Lucius shrugged as Jack handed him the letter.

"It doesn't even have the senders name on it," Jack said as he started to walk back to the castle mutter about the stupid bird and his nap.

Narcissa giggled as she watched Lucius open the letter. "Poor Jack."

"Yeah," Lucius said as he unfolded the letter. Narcissa watched him with interest as he began to read the letter and his face fell.

"What's wrong?"

"Bloody git," Lucius growled as he folded the letter up once again. "What in Merlin's name does he want?"

"Lucius," Narcissa asked as he placed the letter down and got up off the wall. "What's the matter?"

Lucius started rambling off words that Narcissa was pretty sure she never heard before. She gaped at him as he picked up the letter, "Can you believe the nerve of him?"

Narcissa jumped off the wall and grabbed the letter, "What is your problem?"

"My father wrote me," Lucius replied bitterly. "I can't even read that."

Narcissa gave the letter in her hand a horrified look and dropped it as if it were contagious.

"How can I even look at it?" Lucius said as he picked up the letter.

Narcissa grabbed it again, "You don't have too. Lucius, you owe him nothing. This horrible man ruined your life and you don't need to take anymore from him."

Lucius nodded and watched as Narcissa ripped the letter in half. She then shoved the piece of parchment into her outer robe. "I'll dispose of it for you."

Lucius chuckled at Narcissa before giving her a quick peak on the lips. "What would I do without you?"

"Die a slow and horrible death," Narcissa teased as she led him over back over to the wall. "Now let's watch the sunset."

With a smile they regained there positions on the wall. Though neither could quite enjoy the fleeting sun being replaced by the moon; instead both kept think of the torn piece of parchment inside of Narcissa's pocket.