I didn't really enjoy writing during the Voldy period so I only did two chapters with it. Things lighten up after this – for at least two whole more chapters ;) At least when we next see Voldy he's Baldy Voldy, so we can at least get a chuckle out of that.
Again, thanks to everyone who is reading, reviewing, favouriting and subscribing, you guys rock harder than the Weird Sisters. And of course to LivingInInkHeart, who was pleasant enough to join me for a fourth screening of the Deathly Hallows Part II and brave enough to bow to Jason Isaacs' and Helena Bonham Carter's names during the end credits with me.
The summer was over and as the leaves turned to from a lush green to a crackling brown, Cissy hoped beyond anything that the heat would be too. The Dark Lord and his followers were at the height of their power and Lucius was called out every week, much to the distress of his wife.
Since the night at the Prime Minister's house, Narcissa had not been called out on any more missions as the Dark Lord saw the breakdown that followed the incident as a great weakness and embarrassment. Any plans he had planned for the Malfoy couple were thwarted, and he instead relied heavily on the Lestranges and their accomplices, much to the delight of Bellatrix. The night that the small group had visited the Muggle family had a heavy impact on the fairer of the Black sisters; she tortured herself for days, weeks and months, questioning everything about herself and what she was standing for. She would claw at Lucius as he left for meetings and scream at him, begging him not to go. Lucius, eventually fearing that she would take her own life in grief, spoke privately with the Dark Lord, requesting that he erased her memory of the night. The Dark Lord, though displeased with the arrangement, admitted that the loss of her would be too heavy a blow for his Death Eaters to take – many of them knew her well and he guessed that Bellatrix would not recover fully if her sister were to be parted from her. He also knew she was key in producing Lucius' heir, something not only important for the Malfoy and Black lines, but also for his new generation of followers, for he was certain Lucius would not look to replace her with a new wife should he be newly available. So after weeks of mulling the idea over and speaking with the Snape boy and Bella, the Dark Lord conceded that wiping her memory clean of the night would be the least damaging for his most prized followers.
Lucius didn't ask her permission to do it. He knew if he asked she would tell him she needed to remember it, that she would insist it was something she had to know about herself. All he knew was that ever since that night, she was not the Narcissa he fell in love with. She had retreated into a shell and only came out to lash out at him furiously, or cling onto him as he tried to leave. He was wary, seeing her exhibit more and more of her darker sister's mannerisms. The thought of her staying in such a state distressed him, and so one quiet evening he pointed his wand at the back of her head and silently wiped her memory of the event, leaving only their treasured moments of the hours prior to it.
She had turned round very suddenly, and looked at him. Lucius looked back warily, afraid of seeing the tortured look in her eyes that had been the bane of his life for so long now. It was gone. She smiled, really smiled at him, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. She was back; his Narcissa was back and it was like coming home again. That night, they made love for the first time in months.
Despite their relationship getting back on track, Cissy and Lucius faced problems every day. At work, Lucius spent his time passing on information about his fellow Death Eaters from one department to the other and knew that it was only a matter of time until his own file passed right under his nose. The news came through that the Aurors had been given permission – or rather, instruction – by the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to use the Unforgivable Curses on any Death Eater that they may come across. Twice already Lucius had been set upon by Aurors aiming spells at him to kill, but he was with Bella at the time – the three Aurors stood no chance against the Dark Lord's chosen two. This didn't mean that he wasn't afraid though. The second time he escaped Death with only a few inches to spare and if it wasn't for Bella blasting the Auror through a brick wall he knew he wouldn't have survived. Narcissa was waiting for him – as always – in her window seat that overlooked the front drive, and upon seeing his blood-splattered face, dived out through the front door to meet him. Tears were streaming from her eyes as she threw herself into his unsteady arms and gripped him tightly to her. He murmured into her hair that he was alright and unharmed as he stroked her back soothingly, his Death Eater hood falling to the gravel and was left, forgotten, as they made their way slowly into the house together.
There was also something else aside from his wife that kept Lucius going during those dark times. Cissy had sat him in front of the fire one evening and told him that she was carrying his baby and that it would most likely be born in the early weeks of June. He had looked shocked, but slowly he bent down out of the chair onto his knees in front of her and placed his hands on her stomach lovingly and as Cissy looked down at him, she saw a single tear run down his cheek. The couple were overjoyed and made haste to tell their Master. His lip had curled when they told him humbly of their news, but he told them that their child would be welcomed into the ranks with open arms. The words had sounded wrong in his high, cold voice.
The baby had arrived in the summer right on time. In the early hours of the 5th of June, kicking and screaming, came little Draco, the boy that Lucius had dreamt of. Cissy and Lucius instantly adored him. He grew quickly and learnt with glee, always giggling and craving more attention. The Dark Lord had personally requested to meet the new addition into the Malfoy family, and despite the tense moment when it looked like he might puke on the Dark Lord's black robes, Draco did well in his first official meeting. He didn't smile too much, and hid his face in his mother's neck when the Dark Lord stared hard at him, something that their Master saw as a good thing. He saw it as a healthy fear, a fear that should be nurtured most carefully. Narcissa did not.
"Lucius!" Narcissa called through the dining room, knowing her voice would carry through his open office door at the far end, "Draco is asking for you, darling."
The blonde toddler on her knee gurgled again and chewed happily on his little fist. "Dadda!" he shrieked happily, his eyes screwing up with his wide grin. "Dadda!"
"I'm coming," Lucius called back with a laugh. "Let me just send a letter to the Minister then I'll be right with you."
"Okay, but you're best using Mercury, Juno's up in the owlery looking very forlorn after delivering a crate of wine from your parents," she called back. "Apparently she went via Hogwarts as your Mother had yet another letter for Dumbledore."
Lucius appeared in the doorway. "Hogwarts?" he asked incredulously. "But that's up in Scotland! Mother lives in East Anglia!"
"I know," Narcissa replied grimly. "Never had much sense," she added in an undertone.
"Mama!" Draco laughed, turning in her lap to look at her and pointed a slobbery hand in her face. "Mama!" She couldn't help but smile at her toddler. His eyes were fading from a deep blue to the familiar grey of his father's and already Cissy could see their similar face shape, the high cheekbones and soon-to-be pointed nose. She smoothed his baby blonde hair fondly, knowing he was going to be a great wizard someday.
Lucius walked into the room, much to his child's delight, and kissed his wife's forehead tenderly. "Not celebrating Hallowe'en tonight my lovely?" he asked her, stroking his son's hair tenderly. "I seem to remember you donning a fairly fluffy costume last year for me." He winked at her and she blushed.
"Lucius, not in front of the baby," she said indignantly, moving to cover Draco's small ears.
"Oh don't be silly," he laughed. "Draco's going to grow up learning all these things; I won't have him going off to Durmstrang-"
"Hogwarts," she interrupted with a stern look.
"- Hogwarts," he rolled his eyes, "not knowing anything like I did. I don't want him having to find them out for himself. As much fun as it was, it did mean a problematic start."
Cissy gave him a look. "Care to explain?"
"Oh darling, you know my antics at school better than anyone else," he laughed, "you were there!"
She pursed her lips, trying to blank out the thought of his many antics. Although he had told her that the girls he was with were only ever invited into his bed to distract him from her, she had a hard time buying the idea that it was quite traumatic for him.
"Dadda!" Draco gurgled, reaching his chubby arms up towards his towering father, grinning toothlessly.
Lucius laughed. "You're a demanding little gentleman, aren't you son?" he asked, picking Draco up and swinging him into the air, much to the little boy's delight, who shrieked as he was tossed towards the ceiling.
An hour later, Draco was tucked in his silk sheets in the crib that sat in the corner of a chamber to the side of his parent's room. The cold stone walls were adorned with emerald drapes, soft white chiffons and a fur rug covered the hard flagstones of the floor, giving the dark room a gentler feel. Framed photographs of Lucius and Narcissa stood on a little table amongst photos of the Black and Malfoy families. Lucius stood in the doorway, looking into the now dark room, his silhouette tall and slender against the light from the fire in the chamber behind him and watched his wife. Cissy kissed Draco's tiny forehead and stroked the soft sheets that covered his small body and sighed happily. She turned and glanced briefly at the collection of photos before resting her eyes on her exquisite husband. Quite contented, she walked lazily into his outstretched arms. They stayed in their warm embrace for a long moment, both looking towards their blonde angel – the only thing that kept them going in those dark times; family. Cissy pulled away from him slightly and led him out of the doorway, closing the door softly behind them.
Leading him quietly to the sofa before the fire soothed her – the normality of it helped somewhat to forget the turmoil all around her and reminded her of those blissful, sunny days with him at Hogwarts. Back then, she could scarcely imagine the endless fear she would one day live in. Lucius flopped down onto the seat wearily and pulled her down with him, causing her to cry out in surprise. She laughed softly as his arms wound round her securely and he nuzzled into the side of her neck.
"Oh, what a long day," Lucius sighed and leant his head back on the arm of the sofa. "Some of the departments at work were under the impression that Hallowe'en is a valid excuse to use bats to send memos rather than owls; it was out of control. Ludo Bagman and his posse down in Games and Sports have a lot to answer for, I have to say. Crouch wasn't a happy man."
Cissy frowned. "He's the one who allowed Unforgivables to be used on you." It wasn't a question; it was a statement of her fear.
"He wouldn't have passed that law if he knew what his son was up to these days," Lucius replied grimly. Cissy felt his arms tighten around her slightly.
"Lucius, when will it all be over?" she asked quietly, leaning her head back against his.
"Soon, my love, I promise," he replied, his voice hushed and expression soft. "We will be safe soon."
They rested together like that, lying cheek to cheek, for an hour or more, drifting in and out of sleep as the fire crackled steadily in the corner, exchanging whispers every now and again. Suddenly, Lucius let out a cry of pain, awakening Narcissa instantly. His body jolted as if hit by an electric shock, knocking her to the floor. In the connecting chamber, Draco didn't stir.
"Lucius, what is it?" Cissy's cold voice rang out, fear contorting her expression. Her husband had jumped to his feet and was stood clutching his left fore-arm. "Has he called you?"
He looked up at her with a terrified expression. He led her out of the room and into the corridor, pulling out his wand.
"Lumos."
The light from the tip of his wand illuminated their pale faces, their eyes searching the other fearfully. Then, slowly, he reached for his sleeve. The material pushed up easily, revealing the skull and serpent that stained his light skin. They expected it to be black. Instead, it was a glowing red.
"What does it mean, Lucius?" Narcissa whispered, her eyes fearful.
"I don't know."
"Has he called you?"
"I don't know."
"What should we do?"
Lucius looked at her carefully for a moment, calculation in his gaze. "We contact Grimmauld Place."
Narcissa nodded, and they walked swiftly to his office where a grand marble fireplace stood. The logs were still glowing, but no flame was left.
"Incendio."
Flames burst from the tip of her wand and soon the fire was roaring once more. She reached up on the mantelpiece and took hold of a small china pot, opening the lid and taking a handful of Floo Powder. Lucius took her hand and together they stepped into the now green flames that took them to 12 Grimmauld Place, London.
A miserable-looking house-elf greeted them as they stumbled out of the fireplace.
"Mistress Malfoy," is rasped, nearly toppling over as it stumbled into a deep bow. "How delightful to see you here once more."
"Yes, Kreacher, it's lovely, but where's my sister?" she replied hastily, looking about the dusty dining room. "She's still staying here, isn't she?"
"Yes, Mistress, Kreacher will go find her." He disappeared with a loud crack. Moments later, Bellatrix burst through the gnarled door, her eyes mad.
"Cissy," she said hoarsely, stumbling towards her, her arms outstretched and hair flying about her face. "Cissy, it's happened, he's gone, something's made him disappear!"
"What are you talking about, Bella?" Lucius asked sharply as Bella started at her sister with madness in her eyes.
"He went to the Potters' house," she replied, her voice cracking. "And something happened, he's gone now! Wormtail went to the place and found his wand – his wand, Cissy! His body was there, but it was empty, and nothing was left alive except a baby, a stupid fucking baby!" Hot tears began spilling down her cheeks as she stared intently at her sister. "How can a filthy little half-blood still be alive, but he gone?" Narcissa pulled away slightly at the insanity she could see in the depths of those cold, black eyes.
"So he's dead?" Lucius stuttered, all colour draining from his face.
"No, not dead, you fool!" Bellatrix shrieked, suddenly turning on him. She leapt towards him and grasped his arms in her firm grip, her nails digging into him through his thin robes. "He cannot be dead, for he cannot die!"
"But you said-"
"I said his body was dead, not his soul!" she screeched.
"How is that possible?" Narcissa cried, trying to pull her away from the horror-struck Lucius.
"He'll be back, mark my words Narcissa, he'll be back," she cried with mirth, turning suddenly and wrapping her arms around her sister. "Oh, and you best be ready when he comes again, for he'll be greater than ever before!"
Cissy pushed her away with great effort and pulled out her wand, pointing it at her deranged sister. "You're talking rubbish," she said shakily, stepping towards her husband who was clutching at the grand table for support. "You're wrong, and you will perish for it. If Wormtail says he is gone, then he is gone. Don't madden yourself for it!"
"You're wrong, Cissy! I'll stand by him - by our cause - until he is back! I'll rot in Azkaban if I have to."
"You won't. You'll go into hiding if you have to, we'll keep you safe. I won't lose my other sister because of pure-blood beliefs and causes! You're to calm down now, else we'll leave."
"Lucius, you have to believe me," Bella stared at him intently, her whole body now shaking. "He's capable of such magic, you know he is, and he gave us possessions to keep safe – what if we're to use them to bring him back? You must, Lucius, you must stand with me!"
"But he's gone, Bella, isn't he?" Lucius croaked helplessly. "It's over."
"Never!" she shrieked, rattling the chair in front of her with her hands. "He'll never be gone, and you know it!"
"Lucius, we have to get back to Draco," Cissy said defiantly, trying to ignore Bella who was now wringing her wrists and pacing up and down the room. "You'll regret this, Bella."
"Cissy, you can't leave, you can't leave me like this. Stand by me, I demand it of you!" She drew her wand and pointed it towards the blonde couple.
Wordlessly, Lucius took Cissy's outstretched hand and they looked at Bellatrix's twisted face. Cissy felt a pang of regret as they turned on the spot and Disapparated. That was the last time they saw Bellatrix for fourteen years.
Back at the manor, the rain was pounding down on the windows and the fire in their room was quickly burning out. The Mark on Lucius' arm was still glowing red, but it was slowly fading. Draco was still sleeping silently in his crib and Narcissa wiped away the tear from his cheek that had fallen from her own as she had leant down to kiss his soft forehead. Draco was safe now. He would never have to go through what his parents went through; he would want and worry for nothing.
"What do we do when they call on us?" Lucius asked, his face still contorted with fear as she closed the door quietly from Draco's room to their own. His pointed features were thrown into a sharp contrast by the light from the weak fire and shadows were appearing under his grey eyes. Cissy knew what he meant. She stood behind the sofa that he was sat on and reached forward a hand to gently stroke his long blonde hair. He meant when the Ministry called on them. Once those who were cursed came out of their states – which they no doubt would be doing any time soon – there could be no denying that the powerful Malfoy couple had been heavily involved in the Dark Lord's movements.
The touch of her fingers on his hair was soft and warm, but her voice rang out cold and clear as she spoke. "The Dark Lord cursed us and we didn't know what we were doing. We deny him, and his cause, completely. We will come away unharmed."
So yeah. The next chapter will jump forwards like, a gazillion years. Well, more like 11 years, but you get me. Again, thanks for your reviews; they are most kind and uplifting. All that I write, I write for you.