Author's Note: Chapter eight. Whoo-hoo!
A few days later Lucius, Severus, Harry, and Draco were playing with Jimmy in Snape's quarters. Suddenly fireplace flared green.
"Severus, Lucius, may I speak with you?" Dumbledore asked.
The two went through the Headmaster's office.
"What is it, Albus?"
"Hagrid reported seeing light from a campfire in the Forbidden Forest while retrieving Aragog's body. I want to two of you to investigate."
They nodded and returned to Severus' quarters to prepare.
"We'll leave at sunset."
Lucius nodded.
"I'll tell Cissy. I dare say she won't be happy about this."
He was right.
"Why must it be you?! Why not someone else?"
The Malfoy patricarch attempted to calmed his wife.
"Severus and I are the best at this. I agreed to go."
Narcissa slid into her beloved's embrace, letting his strong arms and steady heartbeat soothe her.
"Is it because of the prophecy?"
"No, my love. It is my way to make up for my crimes and betrayal."
She sighed.
"Just be careful."
"I will."
Lucius tilted his head down to meet his true love in a sweet kiss. Narcissa sighed into the kiss, running her finger's through her husband's long blond locks. How she loved this man. He was powerful but gentle as a kitten with her. He treated her like there was no other woman in the world, and for him there wasn't.
"Stay. Stay until Severus calls," she murmured.
"Your wish is my command, my angel. Your will is my purpose."
She kissed him again and smiled as he began to dance with her, a slow, waltz-like dance, their bodies only a breath apart. When he wanted to be, Lucius could be a wonderful romantic. He made sure she knew he still loved her with every fiber of his being. He would pledge his love to her almost every day in someway or other. He was her soul mate, the holder of her heart. She couldn't imagine a life without him by her side.
Severus arrived to collect Lucius to find them cuddled together on the couch. He smiled then cleared his throat.
"Time to go, Lucius."
With a final quick kiss to his wife, Lucius followed his friend to Hagrid's hut. The half-giant told them where he had seen the light of the fire, and they set off. Once they entered theForbiddenForestthey blurred into their Animagus forms. Lucius became a large white fox, and Severus became a large black wolf.
Let's go, Nightblaze.
The fox yipped and bounded forward. Nightblaze shook his head and ran after his friend.
Where is this impatience coming from, Swiftpaw?
The sooner we complete our mission, the sooner we return.
Nightblaze gave a sharp bark then howled as he ran alongside Swiftpaw. Together they raced through theForest. After about half an hour the scent of their former comrades drifted to them along with the scent of fire and cooking food.
We're almost there.
They soon saw the light of the campfire and crept forward cautiously. Once they were hidden in the bushes they reverted back to their normal forms. They watched the Death Eaters talk and make their dinner.
"Severus," Lucius hissed.
"What?"
"Are those wild daises?"
Severus looked at the flowers in front of them.
"Yes. Wait. Aren't you allergic to those?"
"Yes. I ah-ah-ah-"
The potions master spun and clamped a hand over his friend's nose.
"No! Don't sneeze! Whatever you do, Lucius, do not sneeze!" he hissed.
He glanced back at the Death Eaters, who were still unaware of them. Lucius relaxed, the need to sneeze passing.
"I'm all right now," he whispered nasally.
Severus released his brother and turned back around.
"ACHOO!"
The raven haired man glared at the blond, who smiled sheepishly.
"Any chance they didn't hear that?"
"I think the dead heard that, Lucius."
"Over there!" exclaimed on Death Eater.
"Run!"
They darted off, blurring into Nightblaze and Swiftpaw.
Good going!
I couldn't help it!
They raced through theForest, darting into a small cave for shelter. The Death Eaters ran on by.
Lets go, Swiftpaw.
They returned to Hogwarts and blurred back to normal. Bidding each other goodnight, they returned to their quarters.
"Lucius!"
Lucius was almost knocked over by his relieved wife.
"Thank God you're all right."
He held her, burying his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her strawberry shampoo.
"I was so worried."
"It's all right, Cissy. Severus and I are fine."
They kissed briefly. Lucius held his wife, silent as he thought.
"Lucius? Are you all right, love? You're awful quiet."
He looked into her eyes, and she could see determination and love in his silvery gaze.
"What is it?"
"Marry me again. Renew our vows."
She kissed him.
"Of course, my love. When?"
"Our anniversary."
The school practically buzzed with excitement over the Malfoys renewing their wedding vows. It would be in the Great Hall before the school. Dumbledore would be officiating the ceremony.
"Nervous?" Severus asked Lucius on the night of the renewal.
"No."
The music sounded, the students rose, and the doors opened. Lucius grinned at the sight of his wife. To him she was just as beautiful as she had been the first time. Draco walked his mother down the aisle to his father.
"I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, take you, Nacrissa Druella Black-Malfoy, as my wife. I will cherish you with all that I am. I give you my name, my body, my mind, my soul, and, most importantly, my heart. On this day you become more than my wife, you become my partner, soulmate, and, above all, my very life."
"I, Narcissa Druella Black-Malfoy, take you, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, as my husband. I will cherish you with all that I am. I give you my name, my body, my mind, my soul, and, most importantly, my heart. On this day you become more than my husband, you become my partner, soulmate, and, above all, my very life."
Several students and teachers had tears in their eyes as that sweet declaration of love.
"I declare the bond renewed," Dumbledore said.
Lucius and Narcissa kissed as the students cheered.
"We need to combine our magic to defeat You-Know-Who," Severus days later.
"We already can, but it's not strong enough."
They paced, thinking about how to better combine their magic.
"What about a blood adoption as brothers?" Severus suddenly said.
Lucius turned.
"Severus, you're a genius! I could kiss you!"
The potions master backpedaled.
"Please don't."
"Relax, Sev. I wouldn't really kiss you. Eww!"
"Thanks ever so much for that, Lucy."
The Malfoy patriarch glared at him.
"Don't call me that."
"What will you do if I don't stop?"
Severus knew he was being childish, but he loved to tease his friend.
"I'll call you Sevvy."
"Lucy."
"Sevvy."
"Dick."
"Real nice."
"You started it."
"Did not."
"Did so."
"Did not."
"Did so."
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
"Boys! That's enough! Act your age!" Narcissa snapped.
"Yes, Mrs. Malfoy," they chorused.
They beat a hasty retreat to go have the blood adoption done. Once all said and done, they really were brothers now.
"Lets go home, little brother."
"Little brother?"
"What? I am older than you."
Severus snorted and rolled his eyes, earning a nudge from his new sibling.
"Prat."
"Dick."
"Again?"
"It suits you."
"Oh, shut up."
End Note: Lucius discovers that allergies are not his friends. Our boys are family for real now. Please review.