"Erm, hello, Lucius. How- how are you? Is that arithmancy you're working on? May I… join you?" Narcissa regarded him nervously.

Lucius glanced up at her with a rather curious expression, before nodding once. She sank into a nearby chair, gripping the edge of the table until her knuckles were white.

"Studying for N.E.W.T's?" She asked, tone strained. Lucius nodded again. "I suppose it must be awfully difficult. Bella said it was her least favorite subject. I don't think I'm going to take it next year. Do you know my sister Bellatrix? She graduated several years ago." Narcissa was rambling and didn't care. She needed to talk to Lucius, needed to be here, because it had been two months and nine days since she'd said goodbye to Mort, and every day, every hour, every second was a struggle, an internal battle not to run to him. Each time she passed him in the hallways, or saw him at meals, she was certain she would be unable to do it. And Lucius wasn't making it any easier- he rarely spoke to her, and though he'd never objected to her presence, she feared that he wanted nothing so much as for her to leave him alone. But if she did, she would surely turn only to Mort, though nothing would be changed. She would still have to marry Lucius, and endure this pain regardless.

Narcissa continued. "Bella's always the life of the party, even with her temper. I do miss her. Mother and Father can't seem to figure out why she hasn't married yet, with all the men who are after her and whatnot. But she doesn't want anything but her independence. I envy her bravery sometimes; Bella can't be made to do anything she doesn't want to do. I wish I-" She broke off, realizing that Lucius was watching her, staring with one of those penetrating looks. Involuntarily, Narcissa shuddered and dropped her gaze.

"There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up," Narcissa attempted yet again. "I thought we might go."

"I have a Quidditch practice." Lucius replied dampeningly.

"All-all day?"

"Most of it."

"Must it be on Saturday?"

"I need to study on Sunday."

"Is it so very important to have the practice?" Well aware of the fact she was being pushy, Narcissa couldn't help it. She'd never missed a trip to Hogsmeade, and the idea of going alone was even worse than the thought of going without Mort.

"I need to train a new player."

"There's a new player on the team?"

"Yes. Someone decided to quit."

"Who?"

Lucius gave her a measured look. "Yaxley."

"Why?" Narcissa gasped. "He loves Quidditch! He can't have possibly wanted to quit. After all, he's such a brilliant player, and flying does make him so happy…"

"He didn't tell me." His tone was cold. "And the resignation was rather sudden." With that, he turned back to the book before him.

… And there's a ball at the Lestrange's at the start the summer holidays. Mother and Father insist my presence is mandatory, and I know how you love dressing up. Lucky you're marrying Lucius- I've never seen Mrs. Malfoy in the same gown twice. So I'll see you in a few weeks, Cissy!

Bellatrix

Narcissa stared into her reflection critically. The school year was over, and there was a certain comfort of being home, but here better than ever she noticed the changes in her appearance of the past months.

She'd lost weight, and was concerned with the ease that her ribs could be seen through skin that had become so pale, it was practically translucent. There were shadows on her face that had never been there before, but what could she expect from crying herself to sleep every night? Her long legs were far too skinny, and she feared the curve of her hips was more angular. As she went to retrieve her gown for the ball that evening, she knew Bella would notice immediately. And Bellatrix was fiercely protective of those she loved, few as they may be. But that was hardly her main worry.

Mort will be there. She remembered the way they would dance through the common room in front of the whole house when there was no music playing- they'd laugh and spin until they were giddy with laughter, and finally fall onto a recliner, wrapped in the others arms.

However, this memory brought neither smile to her face nor tear to her eye- it was something she could still be proud of. Never had she let anyone, especially not Malfoy, see her cry. Only her closest family ever had, but not because of this. They hadn't seen her cry since she was a small child. Only Mort had seen her tears since she first set foot on the Hogwarts Express as an eleven year old girl, and now she was determined that no one would ever see them again.

"Narcissa!"

"Yes, Mother?" She called back.

"Mr. Malfoy is here to pick you up. Aren't you done yet?"

"In a moment!"

Malfoy. How could she have forgotten she'd be attending with her fiancé? She finished her preparations and silently descended the foyer where Lucius waited with her parents. Cygnus smile at his youngest daughter.

"There she is, lovely as always. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Father." She replied obediently. "Goodbye, mother." She kissed her mother's cheek before turning to Lucius at last. "Good evening," Narcissa sighed, offering her gloved hand. Lucius scarcely brushed his lips against it before straightening up and offering his arm.

"Shall we go then?"

"How have you been enjoying your summer holidays?"

"Fine." Narcissa replied impatiently, trying to hurry him up just a bit. They were almost to the Lestrange's home, and Narcissa didn't want to loiter out here when Mort and Bella and even Rabastan were so close. He seemed to take the hint and his pace increased. As soon as they passed the threshold and greeted their hostess, Narcissa slipped her hand from his arm.

"I'm going to go find my sister." She told him briefly before hurrying off. However, this proved easier said than done, as a sizeable crowd had already formed in the ballroom. It took a good five minutes of vigorous searching before a loud crash was heard.

Narcissa spun on the spot, and spotted Bellatrix ten meters off. Her sister, on the other hand, was oblivious to anyone but the current victim of her wrath. She appeared to have just hurled a plate at the man's head. The room went quiet.

"You bastard! Have you any idea who I am?" Bellatrix shrieked. Much to Narcissa's amazement, he didn't back down in fear. And to her horror, he bellowed right back.

"You, madam? You are clearly mad or entirely uninformed if you don't know who you've just thrown a china dish at!"

"You should think more closely of where you, sir, are placing those filthy hands! I hate to think where they've been, and if they ever touch me again, I can guarantee you'll have something much worse than a dish thrown at you!"

The man sneered. "With that aim, I dread to think of the damage you'll cause to my family's home, dear lady."

"You dare insult me? Had I intended you any real harm, monsieur, you'd be dead!"

"I tremble at the idea of what harm a woman of your stature," He paused here to let his gaze slide over her figure most inappropriately, "Could possibly inflict upon me." He ran his tongue over his lower lip slowly, smirking obscenely. "Though I'd certainly not object to your attempts."

Bellatrix drew her wand. "I hope you realize exactly what you're dealing with," She snarled.

"I suppose I don't. Here, let me take a closer look." He took a step forward, his eyes dipping again. "Ah, yes, I can see better now-"

There was a crack, and he was flung backwards. He gave a shout of surprise, and Bella laughed raucously. He paused.

"That laugh…" He murmured to himself, recognition dawning. "Bellatrix Black."

"Very good, though a bit late. Next time you consider harassing a proper lady, you may-"

"Roddy?" Mrs. Lestrange appeared suddenly. "What's going on here? Get up!" She gestured furiously at her eldest son. "And Miss Black, I do apologize for any offense you've taken to Rodolphus."

"What the hell? She just hexed me!"

"And with just cause, I assume." She snapped back. "Are you quite alright, dear?"

Bellatrix smiled. "I'm perfectly fine, Mrs. Lestrange. Perhaps Rodolphus could make it up to me with a dance?"

"If you think so." Mrs. Lestrange replied doubtfully. She turned and signaled for the band to begin playing once more. Narcissa, who had edged closer, heard the brief exchange between her sister and Rodolphus before the waltz began.

"Mr. Lestrange, I think you will find I'm not as unreasonable as you assume. I simply prefer to be asked."

"If I were to ask you, darling, where'd the fun be? I'm not a man who will drop down and lick your feet."

"Really? That's a pity. My toes are so very ticklish"

"Yes, yes, it is a shame. And although I won't lick your feet, there are other places-"

Narcissa stepped back quickly, blushing slightly, only to collide with a solid chest.

"Careful," Lucius warned softly, before offering her one of the two flutes in his hands. "Champagne?"

"I, erm…" She had meant to accept, but at that moment, she spotted Rabastan, staring at her from across room quite pointedly. When he at last caught her eye, he nodded discreetly in the direction of a shadowed hall leading off deeper into the mansion, where, shrouded in the darkness, she could discern Mort waiting. Narcissa gasped. "I'll be back."

She navigated her way through the dancing couples as rapidly as possible without full out sprinting across the floor. When she at last reached the cloistered corridor, Rodtimer pulled her into his arms.

It was like breathing again for the first time after all these months, a crushing weight had being lifted from her shoulders. All she could do was whisper his name, over and over, while cling to him with all her might.

"Run away with me, Narcissa," He gasped, voice cracking. "No more… Narcissa, I can't do this anymore. I need you. I love you. I love you-"

"No! No, Mort, I can't!"

"You can! Unless-" He drew back suddenly, eyes wide with terror. "You want to marry Malfoy?"

"Never!" She cried, pulling him back. "Never. I can't- I don't want him. I want you!"

"It makes me physically sick, Narcissa, when I think of him touching you. If he hurts you… If he ever hurts you, I swear I'll kill him." He paused at this thought. "Let me kill him, Narcissa. I could make it look like an accident, and then you'd be free of him forever."

"Mort, you can't! It… It would be too dangerous." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You could go to Azkaban. Or he could kill you instead…" She shuddered at the thought. "I shouldn't even be here."

"Don't say that!" He replied passionately, crushing her even more tightly to his chest. "You should always be with me. I love you."

"You know I love you too, but I don't have a choice in this! You should… you should get married too, move on with life-"

"How can you say that? There will never, ever be anyone else for me. I'll wait for you forever. If Malfoy dies by natural causes when you're ninety, I'll still be waiting, ready to marry you. I bought the ring some time ago..." He thrust his hand into his pocket, withdrawing a gold band. Narcissa knew her eyes were welling with tears.

"It's beautiful. Perfect." She blinded rapidly, admiring the diamonds and sapphires, brilliant even in the diminished lighting. "But I can't." She pushed his hand away. "I should go…"

"Dance with me." He said suddenly.

"We can't! Everyone will see." She worried, though the idea was unquestionably appealing.

"Malfoy doesn't own you. Not yet." Before she could protest further, he'd pulled her into the light, onto the dance floor. A new song was starting up, and he placed a hand on her waist.

"We never had a chance," He murmured as the familiar steps began. "We were supposed to have forever, Narcissa. We were supposed to… Spend the nights making love and the mornings feeding one another breakfast in bed. We were meant to have children who would exhaust us and make us crazy, but we'd love them more than life itself. I wanted to grow old with you…"

"Mort, please!" She whispered as the tempo increased. "You think I don't want that? But I can't. Rodtimer, I can't!"

He was silent, staring intently into her eyes. "I'll miss you Narcissa. More than you can possibly imagine."

"I can! I'll always miss you too."

"Will I be able to see you once you're married?"

"I don't know. I don't know if Lucius will let me, and I don't know if I can… I'll want to run off with you every time we meet."

"I love you." He repeated once more as the song reached its crescendo, and the music came to an end. It was over, but neither could step apart. Rodtimer lifted his hands, cradling her face in them. "I never realized when I kissed you that morning that it would be the last time. Or was it?"

Not waiting for her reply, he dipped his head, pressing his lips to hers, entirely uncaring of those who watched. It was the most familiar thing in the world- Narcissa had never felt anything so natural as when they kissed. She had always loved the way they fit together just right, the electricity that had never ceased to excite her no matter how often she felt it. She gladly parted her lips to allow him to slide his tongue within, and responded with a practice ease.

She didn't want it to end. She wanted to stand there in his arms forever, but all too soon, he was pulling back. Narcissa was certain nothing had ever hurt her as much as seeing the tears in his eyes.

"I love you, Narcissa. Forever." With that, he receded into the crowd, leaving Narcissa exposed and alone.

It didn't occur for Narcissa to wonder whether or not Lucius had seen what had happened until she saw him on the outskirts of the dance floor, watching her. His expression remained blank as she approached him, showing neither anger nor jealousy. Not hint of hurt or sadness showed in his face, and no trace of tension was visible in the way he held himself. The same coldness that always emanated from him held true, his grey eyes without feeling.

"Cissy!"

Narcissa head lifted to see her sister rushing towards her, quite out of breath and disheveled.

"There you are Cissy; I've been looking for you all evening!"
"You mean between throwing dishes about?" Narcissa was amazed at her own ability to keep her voice even. Bellatrix laughed.

"Saw that, did you? Well, so I lied. Not the first time…" She drifted off as she stepped back to examine the blonde with a critical eye. "You look unwell."

"I'm fine, Bella." She lied quickly.

"No, you're all skinny and pale. What wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Why won't you tell- Lucius! What are you doing skulking in the corner over there?" She'd spotted Narcissa's fiancé. He approached with caution.

"Good evening, Bellatrix. I understand I won't risk my life by speaking to you? Rodolphus nearly lost an ear."

"Oh, honestly, Malfoy, I knew what I was doing. And if he had lost an ear, it would have served him right for groping me."

Lucius didn't smile, exactly, but something in his eyes suggested that he was amused.

"I'm certain you weren't encouraging him either."

"I wasn't encouraging him to do that!"

"Of course not."

Narcissa watched the easy conversation with shock. Why was it that she could scarcely coax any but monosyllabic responses from him, and Bellatrix could hold a real conversation?

"Think what you may, but Cissy and I have things to discuss." Bellatrix wound her arm with her sister's, and turned towards the open patio. "Congratulations on the wedding, by the way."

[Author's Note: My first attempt a Bellatrix/Rodolphus- I hope it wasn't awful? And for the reviewer who asked about this story and Don't Cry, they have no relation whatsoever. Thanks for all he reviews!