An Unexpected Gift

Lucy woke up again feeling a cool hand over her temple and something being pressed into her mouth. Soon a disgusting liquid was poured down her throat as she heard the gentle voice of a man saying:

"That's right my lady, this will stop the backlash of the pain, drink it all…"

As she finished the contents of the glass she sunk back into soft pillows and got the chance to look at the man who was giving her the potion. He was a very short old man, with his head completely bald, wearing huge rounded glasses and a very well-worn grey suit.

"Who are you?" – Lucy asked blinking up at him.

"Oh! That's right! We haven't met yet have we? You were unconscious last time. I'm Doctor Maximus Crabb. Everybody calls me Dr. Crabb. It's a great pleasure to meet you while you're awake my lady." – He said with a kind smile helping Lucy sit up a bi t more on the pillows.

She was stunned for some time, how could it be that a man as nice as the one standing in front of her could serve Voldemort to the point of being his personal doctor? It just boggled her mind. Snapping out of it she asked:

"What happened? Where is Bellatrix? What time is it?"

"oh! I don't know where Mrs. Lestrange is right now, I'm sure our Lord will take care of her… As for the time, we still have a few hours till dawn, I don't believe you've been unconscious long… All that I know is that you passed out due to the combined pain of the curse Mrs. Lestrange had put you through and the one caused by our Lord's anger, and he called me to make sure you're alright." - The little man said while rummaging through the room picking up potions vials, stethoscopes and a few other equipment Lucy didn't know the name of, and throwing them into a surprisingly small grey suitcase. – "I'm sure you'll be feeling very fine by the morning after a good night sleep and a nice breakfast. Soon enough the potions will take effect and you'll feel sleepy. Au revoir, My lady." – He added, picking up his suitcase, putting a very black rounded hat on his head and bowing slightly to her.

Lucy opened her mouth to ask something else, but he was out the door before she had the chance. True to his words she started to feel sleepy again, and wondering if Bellatrix attack would do anything to harm the treaty, she went back to sleep.

In the morning, she woke up with the already usual POP of a house elf coming into the room, in this case it was Tipsy, bringing in her breakfast, that as usual looked delicious. After a long torrent of apologies from the tiny elf and as many reassurances from Lucy that she didn't mind being awaken at all, she got up from the bed to eat, she was feeling rather hungry.

"Miss Lucy, Misstress, the Master, asked Tipsy, to tell Mistress to go to him, when Miss Lucy, Mistress was finished with her breakfast." – Tipsy added in a tiny voice, bouncing up and down on her little feet and looking apprehensively towards Lucy.

She frowned, she imagined that Voldemort would want to talk about what happened, especially if it would affect the treaty in any way, but she wondered why he was asking for her to come to him, he could simply barge into her room and say whatever he wanted, then again, it wasn't like she could say no…

"Okay Tipsy, I'll just eat something and take a shower, and then you can take me to him ok?" – She said amiably to the she-elf that nodded vigorously before popping out of the room again.

Lucy took her time eating and then bathing, she wasn't in such a hurry to go talk to Voldemort, the memory of the pain she had felt the day before was still vivid and she wasn't looking forward to a sequel, even if a small one, caused by his mere presence. But as she finally got dressed, she called for Tipsy, who was quick to pop in.

Voldemort was waiting for her in his private office, she had never been in that part of the castle before, it was a big room, with a glass window facing the east, it was furnished lavishly, with fluffy cream carpets on the floor a huge oak desk facing the door, two dark brown chairs facing it and a huge fireplace that was currently empty, bookshelves covered all the other walls.

Voldemort sat behind his desk reading something with his brows furrowed, Nagini was coiled on the ground next to him, but lifted her head when Lucy stepped in.

"Good to see you well, Lady ssssspeaker." – The giant snake greeted her.

"Good to see you two, Nagini." – Lucy answered politely.

Only then the dark lord seemed to take notice of her presence, lifting his eyes from the parchment he looked at her, causing her forehead to ache just a little, which comforted her in some ways, if her pain was mild it meant he was no longer angry.

"How are you feeling today my bride?" – He asked as he leaned back on his chair and motioned her to sit.

Lucy decided to remain standing and close to the door, but answered him truthfully.

"I'm much better, Dr. Crabb gave me something for the pain aftereffects and… I'm fine. What happened to Bellatrix?" – She asked looking around as if expecting the woman to be hiding somewhere in the shadows.

Voldemort frowned, and if increase of pain was anything to go by Lucy would say he wasn't happy to hear the woman's name.

"Bellatrix had the punishment she deserved last night, I assure you she felt far more pain than you did, my dear, now she is at home, her husband is making sure she stays under control and learns from her mistakes, I've also taken her wand and blocked her magic, she has been banished from my properties and my sight for now, you must not fear, my bride." – He said smoothly.

It was Lucy's time to frown.

"I don't fear her Voldemort! What I want to know is what her actions, and the punishment you gave her will mean for the treaty?"

He lifted an elegant eyebrow.

"Nothing my dear, it was an accident caused by a perturbed woman. The years in Azkaban weren't easy on Bellatrix, and have all the right to take action against the ones who tried to hurt my future wife. Unless, you chose to see it as a break on the pact, and decide to re-start the war." – He answered as smoothly as before. Lucy kept quiet, hands balled into fists, she certainly wanted to, but knew she couldn't, doing so at this time meant she'd fight and die practically on her own, and Voldemort would do whatever he pleased with the world. Since she didn't say anything he continued. – "But the reason I called you here is that her reaction to you caused me to realize not all of my followers will have a good reaction to you my bride."

Lucy fought the urge to roll her eyes, as if that wasn't obvious, half the people on the ball room was sending her murderous glances.

"Of course I can protect you from any hostilities. But this protection will only be completely effective once our bond is complete. Till then it might be unwise for you to be here, in my castle, where most of my followers may have access to you." – He continued, looking directly into her eyes searching for a reaction. – "Therefore my dear, I decided I will abide for your early desire, you shall be able to go live with those Weasleys." – He scowled as he said the name. – "If you still wish to go you should go pack your things, no need to take everything, you'll be back before long, I'll have Lucius to accompany you before lunch."

Lucy was staring, she was sure she was gaping too; actually, she couldn't believe that Voldemort was actually allowing her to go to the Burrow! True it wouldn't be for long but still. When Lucy didn't show any sign of reaction, Voldemort continued once more.

"You may consider this as a peace offering my dear, an early birthday present." – He said staring directly into her eyes, he seemed almost apologetic.

Lucy didn't know how to react, should she thank him? She opened her mouth twice to speak but didn't make a sound. He seemed to notice her distress because he inclined his head as if understanding and she nodded back to him, risking a small tight smile and left the room practically running. She couldn't believe herself, and she was sure her joy would end before long, but she would be able to enjoy what little happiness of being around friends and family before being forced to be here again.

As soon as she found her room again she started to throw some of her things into the trunk, she wasn't too keen to take the clothes Voldemort gave her to the burrow, but she didn't have a choice, Narcisa had thrown away everything she brought, so she settled into picking the few clothes that didn't seem too fancy or too expensive, which were very few indeed…

Soon enough Tipsy popped into her room informing that Mister Malfoy was there to take her to the Burow, she didn't know why in heavens she'd need Malfoy to escort her to the Burrow, she was perfectly capable of taking the floo on her own, despite her few bad experiences with it, but she wasn't about to complain now.

"Ah! Miss Potter, it's a pleasure seeing you so well." – Lucius Malfoy said when she walked into the room he was in, her trunk floating in behind her by Tipsy.

"Ah… It's good to see you too…" - She answered feeling a bit uncertain, she wasn't used to Malfoy being nice to her and certainly wasn't used to being nice in return.

"Shall we go then? We'll take the floo to the Leaky cauldron and go to the Weasleys home from there." – He explained and then lifted his wand to point at her trunk. – "Let me take care of that." – He said and shrunk the trunk, pocketing it before indicating her to the fireplace.

Nodding Lucy picked the green powder from the mantel piece threw it on the fire and stepped in. As usual she stumbled out, only to be followed right after by Lucius who grabbed her arm to help her steady herself.

"You should be careful my lady." – He said amiably to her while sending a glare towards some shady individuals sitting on the bar that were looking at them with interest. – "Shall we then…" - He added, handing her another handful of floo powder.

Feeling the expectation bubbling on her chest she threw it on the fire and screamed "The Burrow" as loud and clear as she could. When she stumbled out this time she heard a surprised screech.

"But what in the name of…" - She heard Mrs. Weasley's voice say, before she gave a loud gasp and wailed. – "Lucy! Oh good heavens."

Before she could know what was happening she found herself being hugged to death by Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh! My dear! Are you alright? Have you been hurt?" – She started as she pushed Lucy slightly away so she could look into her face.

"Mum? What's… Lucy?" – Ron's voice sounded from behind Mrs. Weasley, as he came down the stairs.

Before Lucy could try and answer all their questions the fireplace flared again and Lucius Malfoy stepped out of it.

"What do you want here? You'll not take her away!" – Mrs. Weasley snarled at the man as soon as she spotted him, pointing her wand to his chest and pushing Lucy behind herself.

"I've come in peace! I'm here simply to accompany Miss Potter." – Lucius answered with a sneer giving a disdainful look around the living room.

"What do you mean? Is he with you mate?" – Ron asked coming closer to them with a scowl in place.

"Yeah… It's okay guys. Mister Malfoy is just bringing me here, Voldemort let me stay here till the wedding…" - Lucy explained, and Mrs. Weasley lowered her wand. – "If it's not a bother…" - Lucy added feeling self-conscious, she hadn't asked beforehand if she could come.

"Of course it's no bother dear! You're always welcome here!" – Mrs. Weasley exclaimed immediately.

"Why would You-Know-Who let you stay here? He had forbidden you before." – Ron asked, brow furrowed.

Lucy hesitated, and exchanged a look with Lucius, she wasn't sure if she should mention the whole episode with Bellatrix, what if they thought it was a break on the treaty and wanted to re-start the war? Biting her lip she answered as truthfully as she dared.

"He said it was an early birthday present…"