Chapter Three - Watch Your Mouth

Morsmordre, Borgin Galaxy

12.6 Billion Kilometers from Earth

"Lucius?" Cassius Parkinson asked gruffly. His partnered commander was in no mood for the shift they would have later that night.

Lazily drawing his eyes up, Lucius replied in a bored tone, "What do you want, Parkinson?" Sitting atop the manor's roof, he looked out over the fields of blood orchids and moonflowers that surrounded the estate. A lone Wiggentree with an Alihotsy sapling stood out among the sea of flowers it lay in the middle of; it had always been one of Draco's favourite spots.

Retrieving his hand from his pocket, Cassius brushed the ledges surface off, silently scrutinizing the seat. "Have you heard anything from them?"

A war was raging inside of Lucius' head. He hadn't heard from Draco in four days, something uncommon to come from the son he had been inseparable from since he was five. The lack of contact was maddening, it was affecting his work; Something Tom had noticed immediately.

"Malfoy!" A conjured gust of wind nearly knocked Lucius off his perch as Cassius yelled for him once more.

Dropping his arm at his side, Lucius unfurled his fist allowing his palm to conjure a stream of water. He glared at the man as he began to feel the familiar cold rush through his veins. Chancing a glance down, he admired his handiwork. A sleek 13 inch ice spear lay in his hand, the rays of one of their suns, Flourish, glinted across the surface.

"MAL—" Cassius stopped, locking eyes with Lucius he watched as the smirk the man's son was known for spread across his face. Casting his eyes downward, Cassius watched as his fellow commander slowly poked at his exposed throat with the pointed spear.

"I'm sorry, what was that? I couldn't understand you," turning his body fully towards the shaking man he watched as commander Parkinson's adam's apple bobbed painfully with each careful swallow. Lucius's hands were steady as they handled the conjured weapon, its glistening point sparkled in the setting sun's rays as it dug into the man's flesh.

"Sweet Salazar, Lucius! It was just a question! Pansy hasn't been in contact, not that that is anything new, but you understand why I am asking, yes?"

He wouldn't admit it, oh no, he would never admit that to Parkinson of all people, but he did understand. Draco's familiar masked eyes flashed in his mind; his chest burned from the memory.

Nodding slowly, Lucius withdrew the ice shank from Cassius' neck. Dropping the spear over the edge of the roof, he looked out into the field once more.

"Get out," he growled in warning.

"Lucius, I didn't thin—"

"That's the problem!" Lucius barked. "You never think. And I am done with this conversation. Get out," Lucius shook. Standing to his full height he leaned over the edge, looking down at the meadow below. A soft breeze came, natural this time, blowing against the blooming orchids. Looking over his shoulder Lucius warned, "Before I make you."

The sounds of shuffling feet alerted Lucius to Cassius's departure. The noise of the rooftop door slamming was the last to fill the air.

Sighing, he contemplated taking an early leave; the nights were no longer the same without Draco at his side. The days seemed to drag on and the nights somehow seemed lonelier. Peering out over the field he watched as a faint flash of light illuminated the sky, outlining the Wiggentree in the distance.

Though his head told him it was probably best to go in, his feet had a mind of their own.

Leaping from atop his place on the roof, Lucius landed swiftly among the flowers and tall grass. How long he spent wandering through the field he didn't know. By the end of it, he found himself back at the Wiggentree; his hands running over the familiar initials etched into the tree's bark.

L.A.M. D.L.M.

Those initials meant everything to him.

Replacing his hand with his forehead Lucius leaned against the trunk, shutting his eyes, he allowed himself to succumb to the memory.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Draco lay in the grass by Lucius's feet, giggling as he rolled over the barely-budding snow poppies. Rocking forward, he reached for his small feet in an attempt to pull them towards his chest.

Lucius's mouth twitched as he tried to suppress a smile."You are more trouble than you are worth, child."

Another giggle from Draco broke Lucius's hardened gaze, instead replacing it with a look of reluctant adoration. "Come my boy, it's time to go in," crouching down Lucius scooped Draco up into his arms.

Cradling him tightly to his chest, Lucius looked out over the fields of flowers that led up to Malfoy Manor. The sight of the ancient home that was once the cause of his sorrow had suddenly been transformed. For the house was no longer the embodiment of loneliness that had consumed him over the past year, instead it was now a beacon of light; A place that held the promise of something more. He didn't know why they chose him to be the boy's guardian, but Salazar was he thankful.

So thankful.

"Lucius?" A voice called softly.

Stopping in his tracks Lucius tensed at the voice, he would know that voice anywhere.

Turning around, Draco still in his arms, he met her eyes. "Narcissa."

There among the flowers and dying light stood the woman who had once held hostage all the love and affection he had to offer. In another life, they had been friends, family, lovers. The love that they had shared was one that even the Elders had yet to see rivaled; but as most things did in Lucius's life, that love had crumbled. And with it his heart, and all the love he had to give.

That of course, was before Draco.

Stepping towards him, Narcissa looked down at the drowsy boy, trying desperately to keep his eyes open. Smiling at him, Narcissa reached out, softly stroking the white locks that adorned his head. "He's just beautiful Lucius," she spoke gleefully.

The look of annoyance ingrained into Lucius's face made Narcissa sick. She had a feeling she knew exactly what he was going to say.

"That he is," Lucius spoke, his voice emotionless. "I had wondered myself why you of all people would tell the General to assign this one to me," taking another step closer he leaned into her ear, "now why would you tell him I needed a shadow? Hm?"

The feel of his breath near her ear caused Narcissa's body to stiffen. They hadn't been this close in over a year.

"You seemed lonely," her voice was unwavering. "When Scabior had brought him to Tom I knew that he would be chosen." Ruffling Draco's hair once more, she retracted her hand cautiously. "When I saw him for the first time… something within me told me he was different." Her breath hitched. "A-and I couldn't in good conscience let Rowle, Karkaroff, or bloody Rosier take that child. They would ruin him." Turning her head slightly she felt her lips graze his cheek. "I know you wouldn't ruin him."

"And what makes you so sure of that?" Lucius asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

Sighing, Narcissa pulled a sapling from her pocket. Turning away from the two of them she placed it on the ground, whispering words of encouragement to the small plant as she rose. "Would you care to do the honours?"

Raising his eyebrow, he silently questioned her.

Sighing in annoyance Narcissa pulled Draco out of his arms as she cuddled the slowly waking boy to her body. "Water, Lucius. Plants need it to survive you know."

Rolling his eyes at her condescending tone, he tried to hide the smile on his face."Yes Cissa, I know how water, the life source of plants, keeps them alive," grumbling under his breath Lucius rolled his sleeves up. Aiming his hand, palm up towards the plant, he released a steady stream of water upon it, watching as the soil absorbed it.

Ignoring his annoyed response, she turned away from him.

"Aren't you just precious," Narcissa cooed to the now fully awake Draco.

Giggling at the woman poking gently at his cheeks, Draco turned to Lucius, reaching his tiny hands out to him. "Da-ddy!"

Lucius could feel his heart melting all over again as he heard those words. Gently prying the fussing child from Narcissa's arms he could see a look of sadness flash in her eyes.

Clearing his throat of the sudden uncomfortable lump that had formed in it, he looked up at her, this time meeting her lilac eyes. "I am sure whenever it is you and Tom decide to have one of your own…" Lucius cut himself off. The idea of it proving to be more painful that he had anticipated.

"Yes?" Narcissa inquired, wincing as she spoke with more enthusiasm than she had meant.

Running his hands down Draco's back in a soothing manner Lucius tried to calm himself. The idea of Tom and Narcissa procreating caused his skin to crawl and his throat to burn with bile. It should have been him. Not Tom.

"Nothing," he paused, "just that I know whenever you two decide to have children, I am positive you will be fantastic mother."

The confession stunned her, widening her eyes in surprise she opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Draco's whining.

"Da!" he cried. Draco pointed towards the sapling by Narcissa's feet.

Obliging Draco's request, Lucius set him down by the plant, watching on as the boy softly stroked it's leaves.

"I suppose he will grow up to like plants, hm?" Narcissa asked, bumping her hip against him playfully. "Perhaps that will be his affinity?"

Shaking his head Lucius kept his eyes on the boy, his son. "No, I think what you said is true," he spoke, his voice lowering with each word. "I think he is special, whatever he is gifted with, it will be perfect for him."

Smiling at his curiosity, Narcissa moved him back towards Lucius. Withdrawing a small vial from her pocket she uncorked it, swirling the luminescent blue liquid within it.

"Lucius, hold him, would you?" Narcissa asked as she bent down towards the dirt, slowly etching designs into the soil with the tip of her finger.

As the toddler was pulled back, heels dragging across the dirt in defiance, Narcissa couldn't help but laugh.

Just like his father.

The soil seemed to be in well enough condition for the sort of magic Narcissa had planned. It wasn't common to find trees upon Morsmorde's surface, not since they began slowly dying out the decade previous. She knew that the liquid she held was one of great value, one that many would kill to have. The power to create life.

Narcissa knew that should Tom find out what she had done, there would be grave consequences. He wouldn't look at it as making a child happy or giving back to their planet. No. The only thing he would see was power taken.

It didn't matter, she thought. He would never find out it was her. She would make sure of that.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Narcissa tilted the bottle's mouth downward and watched as its glowing contents were absorbed hungrily by the ground.

Draco sat at his father's feet, watching the dirt intently. "Da-ddy? He babbled quietly.

And then a sprig appeared.

Popping out from the once barren ground now stood a tiny sapling. It's body slowly stretching, creating branches at its side. It was a sight to behold. As most plant life was slowly beginning to die out here was a brand new life just starting, much like his own boy.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"The plant?" Lucius questioned, tearing his eyes away from Draco to turn back towards her.

"Well, yes I suppose, but not just the plant." Narcissa replied with a small smile.

"What else?"

Looking off into the distance, Narcissa inhaled sharply. She watched as the wind gently rustled Draco's hair.

"Hope."

"Lucius?"

Snapping his eyes open, Lucius cursed under his breath.

He would know that voice anywhere.

The feeling of someone touching his back caused Lucius to stiffen; digging his nails into the bark of the tree, Lucius turned towards the voice. "Narcissa," he spoke through clenched teeth. "Lovely to see you this evening… what brings you here?"

"No need to lie Lucius," she spoke quietly, flashing him a tight lipped smile as she dropped her hand. "I just wanted to check in. See how you were since Draco's absence."

Taking the time to truly look at her, he felt all the air in his lungs escape. She was wearing a green off the shoulder mermaid gown, the dress she wore for him. Her long, wavy longs framed her face causing a striking contrast between the paleness of her hair and the lilac hues of her iris.

Shaking away his momentary lapse of judgement, Lucius leaned back against the tree, propping his leg up. "It's been wonderful," he cooed, sarcasm dripping off every word. "I have the manor all to myself. All fifteen bedrooms. Four dining rooms, seven lavatories, three libraries, and two cellars. I mean really, that boy took up so much room."

Rolling her eyes, Narcissa leaned against the tree with him, her hand softly brushing against him. "You miss him, that is to be expected. You two were inseparable. I am surprised you didn't take an extra nimbus and follow him."

"Not like I didn't consider it…" Lucius grumbled more to himself than her.

Clasping her hand against her mouth, Narcissa giggled into it, angling her body slightly closer to his. "May I ask you a question Luc?"

"I believe you just did."

Blinking her eyes, Narcissa inhaled deeply through her nose, trying to figure out the best way to approach the subject..

"Do you think you will ever want kids?" she asked

Scoffing, Lucius kicked at the tree in front of him."I thought I already had one."

"You know what I mean," stepping around the tree, she hid herself partially, only her right eye visible. "kids of your own."

Moving to the other side, Lucius followed suit. "Why do you ask?"

Humming to herself, she looked up into the branches of the Wiggentree, her gift to Draco. "I just…" sighing quietly, she plucked a flower from a branch. "I think you would have been a phenomenal father,"

All traces of playfulness left his face as the meaning of her words dawned on him.

"Would have been?"

Appearing in front of her, Narcissa could see the blaze of anger that ignited his eyes. Taking a step back, she felt herself hit the tree. "Lucius, that isn't what I mea—"

Lucius stepped towards her, caging her in as he placed his arms on either side of her, leaning in close to her face. "You think I would have been a phenomenal father? What do you think I have been doing these last nineteen years? Practicing?" He growled, his voice low in warning.

"Will you just listen to me!"

Laughing maliciously, he bent down towards her ear. "I don't need to listen to anything you have to say. You lost that privilege long ago," he spat.

The audacity! Shoving back against his chest, she watched him stumble. Erecting her posture, Narcissa glared at the man. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

With a glare to rival hers, Lucius grunted, swiping at the area she had touched. "I have dealt with Tom's comments about my 'shortcomings', I have dealt with Rowle and Karkaroff saying I was too soft on the boy; I have dealt with you coming by throughout the years, pretending to mother him, messing up the carefully constructed walls I have built, only to give me the same look you are giving me now. One full of pity. I refuse to let all of you make me feel as if I was," he paused, choking back the tears that had surfaced. "As if I am, a failure as a father. Especially when none of you are parents yourselves," he seethed.

Her pain didn't escape him. He saw it as she turned away from him, clutching at the sides of her dress looking anywhere but him. And that, that, is what caused it.

"Look at me and admit it!" his voice boomed, the sound of thundering echoing in the distance accompanied by the flash of lightning that outlined his body.

As the hissing of his words left his mouth, Narcissa witnessed the once warm, grey eyes had now been transformed into a vivid purple. A familiar purple.

Her purple.

It couldn't be possible she thought. "When did this… h-how?" Her voice stuttered, the feel of her heartbeat had traveled up her throat, threatening to choke her.

Twisting away from her, Lucius covered his face with his hand. "Oh don't play dumb Narcissa, you and I both know how long," he spoke in a low, hushed tone that was followed by another crack of thunder.

Lightning continued to streak across the sky with every movement of his body.

The storm above was being controlled by the storm within him.

His affinity had changed.

The accusation tore at Narcissa. "I'm not playing at anything, Lucius! Will you just tell me when… this happened?"

A downpour began as Lucius found himself standing in front of her. Water streaked his pale cheeks, dampening his white hair sticking to his forehead.

Her now lilac eyes shone bright with fear. Imploring him to speak.

Calloused hands cupped her face, tracing her lips lightly with his fingertips. The feel of the backs of his knuckles grazing her jawline caused her legs to buckle slightly.

"Do you truly wish to know, Cissa?"

The look on his face told her that she shouldn't.

Don't press him, her inner voice told her.

So she did what she always did.

She ignored it.

"Yes Lucius," She breathed, warming his fingers. "I truly wish to know."

There was a sort of static that hung in the air, taking up the space between them as the other watched in silent agony.

Lucius allowed himself the fleeting thought of what it would be like to kiss those lips again. What it would be like to hold her, and truly have her.

And then the thought was gone.

He took a moment, contemplating what his next move would be. The look of pain and uncertainty on her face hurt him all the same; but he knew he couldn't tell her.

Not really.

"You know nothing, Narcissa."

Silence.

"You are still a child." He spat. "A child who could not even begin to fathom what it has been like these torturous years…" the strained sound of his voice trailed off, "but you will."

"What are you talking about, Lucius?" Narcissa pleaded.

A grim look cast a shadow over the man's face. He knew what had to be done.

"I want you to do something for me," Lucius whispered close.

"Anything," Narcissa replied all too eagerly. The desperation to know coated each word she spoke. "What is it?"

Without warning, Lucius leaned in, placing a the lightest of kisses upon her temple; his hands now cupping the sides of her face forced her eyes up as he smiled warmly down at her.

"I want you to hurt for me."

And then he vanished.

Little Whinging Forest

2.3 Miles from Hogsmeade Village

2.1 Miles from base camp

"What's your name?" the girl, no, Luna, asked again.

Fuck. Shite. Fucking Shite.

"Are you alright?" tilting her head to the side she watched with unnerving curiosity.

Looking down into Luna's eyes Theo felt a searing pain in his chest, a welding heat. Schooling his features he looked down towards his wrapped hand; there, still holding on, was her small one wrapped around the clothed wound.

Realizing he was the one allowing her to do this he yanked his arm out of her grip.

She seemed unfazed.

Turning away from her, Theo stomped over towards the fairy ring once more, eyeing the diadem out of the corner of his eye.

"Your name?" She tried again.

Growling in annoyance Theo pivoted, narrowing his eyes at Luna.

"My name is of no concern to you."

"Well, are you at least alright?"

Pressing his lips together in annoyance, Theo thought carefully about his response. Oh yes, I am bloody fantastic! My mates and I are just here on vacation, we heard the weather is wonderful this time of year; I mean, anything beats the constant rain and the uncertainty of death that the dictatorship we have back on my planet essentially promises. Oh, did I say planet? I meant… whatever the fuck those other places are called.

Theo's internal dialogue quieted as he found himself under Luna's scrutinizing gaze.

"What do you bloody well think? I have a sliced hand and I am standing here, in the middle of nowhere with an unnerving little nymph pestering me over something as trivial as my fuckin' name!" Oh, for Salazar's sake! He was turning into fuckin' Blaise, that ponce.

"You have a fascination with profanity, don't you?" she asked, a lopsided smile stretched across her face.

Fucks sake. "Truth be told she and I have a special relationship," Theo mocked.

The forest's noise dimmed to a low hum as the sun began to slowly set, the glow of its rays bathed Luna in its dying light. It was almost poetic really. Almost. Averting his eyes from her he looked down at his feet. The earth still soft within the ring from where he had just been digging not 10 minutes before.

"May I know your name now?" Luna asked as she stepped inside the ring with him, sitting down by his feet.

Theo contemplated what he should do next. On one hand, he could forcibly remove her from the ring and hurl her across the river; Though 1. That wouldn't be a gentleman thing to do, and 2. He had an inkling that throwing her that length could very well throw out his back. What good would he be with a thrown out back? Instead, he opted to sit next to her for reasons even he didn't understand.

"Why is my name so important to you?" Theo questioned, moving slightly back.

Luna didn't respond for a several moments, instead she picked at the blades of grass near her feet. Feet that Theo was only just now noticing were barefoot.

"I think that there is a lot of power in names, don't you think?"

"Exactly, so what makes you think I would want to tell you?"

"Why wouldn't you want to?"

Knocking his head back, Theo squinted at the girl; genuinely perplexed by her reasoning. She was still smiling at him, a calming aura surrounded him as he watched her continue to play with the blades, twisting and braiding them into a woven string. "Didn't you already answer that?"

Pulling up some more strands to start on another string she tilted her head, releasing a whimsical laugh. "No," she shook her head, giggling. "I don't think I did."

Sighing in resignation, Theo begrudgingly took the braided grass from her hands, continuing from where she had left off.

They sat in a comfortable quiet, the only noise coming from a melody Luna had began to hum.

She seemed to be completely at ease there, just sitting with him. She wasn't pestering him about not answering, which Theo found to be rather odd. Though, he couldn't really say what was normal or not for her.

Then again, nothing about Luna seemed to scream normal.

Sucking on his teeth, he looked at their surroundings. Just as before, no one was in sight. Deciding that divulging a single piece of information wouldn't be that detrimental to his character, Theo leaned closer, clearing his throat.

"Theo," he replied, extending the now completed braid out to her.

Startled by the sudden noise, Luna looked up, meeting his eyes. The look of excitement on her face caused that feeling to stir within him again; that unfamiliar warmth that burrowed itself deep beneath his chest.

If there was one thing he knew, it was this.

He didn't like it one bit.

"It's lovely to meet you Theo," Luna beamed.

Nodding stiffly, Theo watched as she took the braided pieces and hooked it around her feet, taking the ends and wrapping it around her ankles. "What are you doing?"

"They are bottomless sandals. They attach at your toe and tie at your ankle," She spoke, her eyes trained down at her feet in concentration.

"How silly of me, of course that's what it is," Theo groaned, rolling his eyes, questioning what in Morsmordre bottomless sandals were and what exactly their function was.

After tying off the last end of the grass, Luna met his eyes again. "Do you live around here?"

There it was. The beginning of questions he didn't know how to answer.

Shrugging his shoulders, Theo watched intently as the soft breeze rustled her hair, framing her face in soft golden ringlets. "My companions and I move around a bit. We don't really stay in one place for too long, this is just one of those places."

"Companions?" Luna asked. "You mean friends?"

"Friends?" He rolled the word around with his tongue, testing out the feel of it. He had never really stopped to think about whether or not the people who he had been paired with since birth were truly his "friends". They were simply there, only to be used for sparring and the rare opportunities that they got to travel. Much like now, he thought bitterly.

"Yes," he shivered at the acceptance of that statement. "If you could call them that."

"You just did."

"Did what?"

Sighing, Luna took the lone blade of grass from his fingers, shaking her head playfully. "You know, Theodore-"

"Theo."

"- you seem incapable of admitting the truth."

"And what 'truth' might that be?"

He was defensive now. The mere thought of the pint sized pixie accusing him of lying caused his blood to boil.

He was seeing red.

"Your truth, Theo. The only truth that matters."

The breathy whisper of her voice caused shivers to run down his spine. The involuntary arch of his back stirred something in him.

She smelled of something sweet yet foreign to him. Her light skin soaking in the last rays of sunlight looked almost ethereal. Angelic even.

"I don't have a truth," he finally answered. "Just take me at my word and accept what I say as whatever 'truth' you are looking for."

"Everyone has a truth, perhaps you just don't know yours yet?"

Perhaps.

Feeling quite daring, Luna crawled over towards him, seating herself beside him as their knees touched. "What are you thinking about?"

Just thinking about how we are all going to fucking die on this shite of a mission.

"Honestly?" Theo questioned.

Luna nodded in response, a beam of a smile lurking below the surface of her lips.

Sighing, Theo shook his head in faux defeat. "Oh I suppose I could tell you… though are you sure you can handle it?"

"I am positive, Theodore."

"Very well." he mused, shrugging his shoulders in response. "I was just wondering if life smokes after she fucks me. Or maybe she prefers the sting of whisky?"

Grinning, Luna stuck a primrose behind his ear. "As lovely as sarcasm looks on you, and it is quite lovely" she laughed. "Why not try being serious? Or are you always this crass?"

"Always, what can I say? No one can ever accuse me of being unpredictable."

"Perhaps not, but they could accuse you of being boring."

"Do you think I am boring?"

Snickering, Luna threw another primrose at him. "Do you have any other talents besides sarcasm, snark, and being full of yourself, Theodore?"

Pursing his lips, Theo faked a look of pensiveness. "Aside from being sexy and hilarious? I couldn't say. I am sure I have many other talents but I should leave some for the others. Wouldn't be fair."

"Oh my!" She laughed, fanning herself playfully with a leaf. "How noble of you, sir."

"Chivalry isn't dead, but this conversation might be." Theo blew at the stray flowers that lay in his lap, "Especially when it seems your talent is at changing the subject."

"I have many a talent. Would you like to see?"

Oh but I would love to, he thought.

"Perhaps."

He immediately regretted his decision as soon as he saw the devilish gleam in her eyes at that response.

"Meet me here tomorrow. Does two work?" Standing up, Luna dusted the dirt and grass from her dress, looking back over the stream from whence she came.

He wasn't sure why, but the sight of her leaving caused another flash of pain deep beneath his chest. He didn't know what it was or why it was happening. The only thing he knew was this,

He had to see her again.

Theo responded without hesitation, "Two," he nodded. "I'll be there."

Leering at his response she did a tiny twirl for him, "Does this mean I have you intrigued?"

Smirking at her words he couldn't help but bite his lip in a poor attempt to withhold his laughter. "Something like that."

"You are a strange one, Theodore."

"Is that a bad thing?" he implored.

"No." She responded without missing a beat. "It's perfect."

He smiled, she smiled, and then she was gone.

Theodore Nott never allowed himself to experience excitement. He had learned long ago that excitement only lead to disappointment. It had taken him a few years, but he at long last he had finally mastered the art of building walls of separation between the things he desired and the things he needed. Everything fit perfectly in a category of needs versus wants, everything but her.

He sat in contemplation for what felt like years before he remembered that he needed to return to camp. He wasn't a fool, he knew he should tell the others about Luna as soon as he made it back to base camp, after all it could help somehow with mission he was sure. He knew that, but he wanted to keep her as his own little secret, at least until tomorrow he told himself.

As his mind continued to wonder about what it is he would tell the others when he came back and whatever it is Luna had planned, his feet took him back in the direction he had come from. His body was on autopilot, for once he was finally at ease, for even though stress was waiting for him back with the others there in the forest he was free to finally be content.

Just as Theo had finally reached the peak of his euphoric escape, a mile away from the now familiar stream and fairy ring, it was then that he heard it.

A loud crack came from his left. The sound of a twig breaking and leaves crunching beneath boots.

I don't have bloody time for this.

Whoever Theo's guest was, he didn't care. Summoning his daggers he wasted no time, whirling towards the noise he released three daggers. The first two proved worthless, their tips buried deep within the trunk of an ancient tree; the third dagger however, had hit its target.

Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a lethal hit.

Fuck.

The dagger lay buried within the arm of a hooded figure. A deep laugh resounded as they stepped forward. Out from the shadows the figure walked.

Theo knew who it was long before he made eye contact with him.

Piercing blue eyes taunted him, just begging for him to speak.

Theo refused.

"Hello brother," the man slowly removed his hood, watching Theo's face as he spoke.

Clenching his jaw, Theo spoke through bared teeth. "Cassius."

Cassius sneered as he gripped the hilt of the dagger, forcefully pulling it out of his chest.

The sound of the weapon hitting the ground with a muted thump caused Theo's blood to run cold.

"Did you miss me?"

Hi guys! So… it has been over a year. x_x My sincerest apologies. My freshman year of college really made it difficult for me to write and update everything like I had been doing, but the good news is that I am back! I will be participating in Strictly Dramione's Halloween Fest as well as continuing to update this story and my others. :) I know there wasn't any Dramione in this chapter but there is still a TON of their story to be told which will start next chapter. xx I am already half way done with it as it was supposed to be apart of this chapter but that was too daunting for me so I decided to split it up so you guys could at least have something. Thank you to everyone that is still here and supports this story and my writing. You all are a treasure and I am so thankful for you. As always yours reads and reviews are loved and appreciated. Till next time! (I promise it won't be long) - Lailah xx