Hey everyone!

Well we've made it to July and hasn't 2020 been crazy so far? I wonder what the second half of the year has in store for us. I should also be starting back at work after nearly 4 months off but I should be OK for updates as I managed to get ahead. I have also updated my profile to reflect the changes and listed all my facelaims so you can have a look at them.

Stay safe, lots of love,

LM xxxx

Breaking Traditions-Part 24:

Priscilla sighed as she carried on stroking her daughter-in-law's hair that was so like her own and she wondered whether it had always been like that or whether it as a longing to act like the daughter Priscilla never had. The older witch kissed the top of Narcissa's head and held her tight and close. She could feel the lock weakening on the library door and realized that the Manor had sealed Narcissa in to protect her, not Narcissa wanting to keep everyone out. All these years and she still didn't understand the Manor as well as she should have.

"I'm sorry that you have her as a mother. She's the opposite of what a mother should be and I wish I could change things for you in some way," Priscilla said softly as she looked at Narcissa, "I wish we'd saved you sooner."

"It's not your fault. You didn't know what she was like behind closed doors," Narcissa said softly, "nobody did. Nobody was allowed… not even the other Blacks knew what she was like. It had to stay inside our family unit and that was it," she said before sniffling slightly and Priscilla gave her a lace handkerchief that she had in her bag, "thank you," she whispered before finding herself drinking some water.

Silence fell on the library again and Priscilla left it up to Narcissa when she would speak and the Malfoy elder wasn't going to force the younger into speaking. The last thing she wanted to do was push Narcissa away when she could feel her daughter-in-law shaking still.

"Things will be OK once Rosalie is here and she can see how happy you are," Priscilla said softly, "when this works out she will be the one eating humble pie and not you. You'll see."

Narcissa shook her head and sighed softly.

"That may never happen now after that outburst at the ball," she said, "we can't go ahead now because there is such a divide in Pureblood society. How can it possibly go ahead now?"

"Some parents support you Cissa and others will see how good it is for those children once Rosalie is here and settled," Priscilla told her, "once you and Lucius have made this successful then others will follow. There's a few parents who have said that they will support you and I get the feeling that they will also see about adopting that longed for child as well," she said softly as she stroked her cheek, "you have suffered but that doesn't make you weak… it makes you even stronger. I know you still find that hard to believe but it's true. You are tougher than most and you will be able to adopt a baby girl and it will be a turning point."

"I hope you're right Priscilla because I can't go through any more pain and anguish because of my mother," Narcissa said as she looked up at her.

"You won't because I will not let it happen," Priscilla said.

Silence fell on the room once more and it wasn't broken by either of the occupants. It was broken when the door opened and Lucius walked inside. He looked at the sight of his wife and it broke his heart.

He swiftly went to his wife's side and she fell into his arms and Priscilla looked at her son.

"Get her outside in the fresh air and make sure she's wrapped up," she told her son before leaving the couple alone.

Lucius managed to tidy Narcissa's hair up and summoned his thickest cloak and wrapped it around her and got her shoes back on.

"I love you Lucius," Narcissa whispered.

"I love you too Cissa," Lucius whispered before he wrapped his arm around her and led her through the Manor and out into the Gardens. Feeling her instantly shivering Lucius wrapped the cloak around her tighter and made sure that his arm was around her.

His senses were heightened and he could feel her shaking and her hands were restless. His mother was right; Narcissa was unstable again because of what her mother had done and now he and his mother would have to see how to pull Narcissa back from the madness trying to take her again.

Curse you Druella Black! Curse you and what you did to my wife! I will be avenged if this adoption fails because of your spitefulness! Lucius was fuming about what had happened and he felt eyes on him and he turned his head and saw Narcissa watching him.

"Would you like to have dinner in the Summerhouse?" Lucius asked softly, "I can cast a heat charm to keep it warm for you," he said softly.

"Yes… yes that sounds lovely," Narcissa said softly as she rested her head on his shoulder and then she freed herself to go and stroke her horse grazing nearby.

Lucius kept a close eye on her before summoning an elf and asking that dinner be brought out to the Summerhouse where he and Narcissa would be dining that night and he then went and joined her, arm wrapping back around her slender waist and he smiled softly. The adoption would happen no matter what. He wasn't going to lose Narcissa again and Narcissa wasn't going to lose her… no their baby daughter when she was within touching distance now.

Lucius waited a while longer before he gently steered her towards the Summerhouse where they would be eating. As they entered he cast a silent warming charm but left the door open enough to let the fresh air inside.

"Can we have a bath later?" Narcissa asked and Lucius nodded before kissing her softly.

"Of course we can my rose," he said softly as he looked at her before she gently removed the cloak, "is it warm enough for you?" he asked, frowning as she shivered.

"Yes it's perfect," came the reply before she sat down at the table where the dinner was sat ready for them.

It was a quiet dinner but that didn't matter to Lucius. All that mattered to him was that Narcissa was out of the library and getting some fresh air. He had been worried that she would remain in the library for longer so would have to speak to his mother to find out how she'd got inside but that was a matter for later or even tomorrow. He couldn't help but stare at Narcissa and wonder for the ten millionth time how he'd got so lucky to have her as his wife. She was perfect. She was his.