Chapter Nineteen

A/N: Thank you to Guest and Nevaeh -Rose Malfoy for reviewing the last chapter.

Professor McGonagall took a minute or so to recover enough from her shock to offer Narcissa a seat. The girl acquiesced, perching herself on the edge of a wooden chair and trying not to think of how many happy times she had spent in this very room. This would not be one of those times. They were gone now.

"So, Narcissa, what did you want to say?" The professor barely managed to disguise her wince at the girl's birth name, and she might have gotten away with it, had the Slytherin not known her so well. The girl wanted to tell her it was alright, that she could call her Anastasia again if she wanted, but she cut off the words before they had a chance to escape. It would not do to complicate things more than they already were.

"I'm worried about my sister." she admitted outright. There was no point avoiding the topic, not with Professor McGonagall. "She did something, something dangerous. I didn't know who else I could go to."

"Something dangerous?" the woman questioned, more than a little confused. For one of the sisters, danger went hand in hand with the rising sun, for the other it was unheard of that she would go in search of it. Either way she could not see how Narcissa would be concerned.

"The Purebloods would kill her if they found out." the girl whispered, as if she was worried a crowd of Slytherins might be huddled outside the door. "Bellatrix would be first in line."

Minerva nodded, suddenly understanding. Blood purity was the one issue that united the old Wizarding families together, at the expense of the one who seemed to have betrayed them. Once the deed was done, there was no return. The person would be lost to them forever.

"Has she told anyone else about this?" Minerva questioned, trying to think practically. It was always difficult, when faced with such injustices as these, to keep a level head, but she had learned not long ago that it was for the best if she did not intervene, however much she might want to.

"No, I don't think so." Narcissa replied, shaking her head slowly. "She didn't really tell me, to be honest. I found her… kissing him. She asked me not to tell anyone, but I couldn't keep it to myself. I thought it was better to tell you than one of my friends. I don't know how they'd react."

Minerva heard the unspoken plea behind the words. I know that you won't tell.

It was that issue, once again, that began to worry the professor. Through Narcissa's confession, she had learned that one of her pupils was in danger from their family, could potentially even be hurt by them, and yet she was being asked to keep it a secret. The Purebloods were notorious in their harshness, as they were in their hatred of outsiders; interfering could do more harm than good.

But when she saw Narcissa's face, she was reminded of her pleas, not long after she had gone to live with her sisters, when she was only just learning the ways of the Purebloods but already knew enough to warn her off interfering. If they punish him back on their own territory, it'll be far worse for him. Please, I'm begging you. Just leave it alone. That boy, although shunned by the rest of his House, was safe enough once the ceremony was completed. Perhaps Andromeda would be as well.

"And you're sure she would keep it a secret, if you would?" Minerva inquired, although she was almost sure of the answer.

"She would never tell." Narcissa assured her. "She values us more than anything, her sisters. She wouldn't risk losing us for a fling with a Muggle-born."

Minerva nodded, not wishing to hurt the girl's feelings. If she was honest, she did not agree. After being raised among the Purebloods, it would have taken something more than a 'fling' for a young woman to risk being caught fraternising with a Muggle-born, especially one with a sister as maniacal as Bellatrix Black. She had a feeling they had not heard the last of this.

Feeling a thousand ounces lighter, Narcissa returned to the Slytherin common room, expecting to spend a few hours alone. She had not been expecting a platinum haired young man, sprawled in a chair with his feet up on the table.

"Lucius?" she questioned, a surprised smile creeping onto her face. "I thought you were in Hogsmeade."

"You didn't come back after you went to get your scarf." the boy explained. Narcissa fought to keep her face neutral, her heart pounding so hard beneath her chest she was surprised it was not visible. "I was worried about you."

Inspiration struck at just the right moment. "I wasn't feeling well, so I came back to lie down. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd worry. I just wanted you to enjoy your Hogsmeade weekend."

"Cissa, I just want to make sure you're alright." he sighed, patting the seat beside him. There was not much room beside him, but Narcissa did not mind much. "You shouldn't have to keep something secret from me if it's hurting you. I want you to know, you can tell me anything."

Narcissa was suddenly very conscious of her breathing, forcing her chest to move in, then out, at a reasonable pace. Lucius had hit the nail on the head, he had pinpointed exactly what was wrong and given her the perfect opportunity to make it right. But then she saw Andromeda's pleading face in her mind, the tears brimming in her sister's eyes. If she had to choose between Andromeda and Lucius… she could not allow that to be a choice.

"There's nothing wrong, Lucius, I promise." The words tasted bitter in her mouth, as foul as the intentions behind them, but there was nothing to be done, and Narcissa tried to disguise her distaste behind a weak smile. "I'm just not feeling well, but it won't be for long. Before you know it, this'll all be over."

Lucius seemed satisfied enough with the answer, as did the girl sat beside him. The young man wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder and she leaned into the embrace, but she did not feel the same safety she had done before. All she could do was pray to Merlin, over and over again, that her prediction was right. 'This has to all be over soon. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do.'

A/N: Narcissa is friends with Lucius, perhaps even feeling something more, but she knows he would reject Andromeda just like everyone else. Whether this will come back to haunt her, you'll just have to wait and see. Please review!