Warning: This work contains themes of Racism, Strong Language, Mental/Physical/Sexual Abuse, depictions of Mental Illness, Gore and Violence.
Reader discretion is heavily advised.
A Lucius and Narcissa origin story. Slow burn, Love and Loss. Trials and tribulations. A Romeo and Juliet-esqsue tale.
I am not J.K. Rowling.
New chapters will be posted monthly.
Thank you so much to all who take the time to read. It means more than you know :)
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To a Muggle, it appeared an ancient abandoned church.
Sights like this were often lures for Muggle teens, inviting acts of vandalism and debauchery. This property, however, allowed for no such attempts. If any curious Muggle wandered too close, a sense of dread would draw them away, so powerful it caused insanity, or even suicidal acts in those who lingered a bit too long.
This is not to say the true character of the building was inviting to witches or wizards, either. While the true home was nothing short of a magnificent country manor surrounded by a beautiful garden, those who visited, did so in secret, for fear of being associated with the disgraced family it housed.
Being only five-years-old, Narcissa Black was not aware of this. Being so young, she barely understood the magnitude of her family's wealth, nor the severity of their tarnished reputation. Instead, she only knew that her family lived in a palace, and that she was given anything that she asked for, and for that, she was content.
In the drawing room, young Narcissa stood next to her two older sisters in a neat row — oldest to youngest — with their parents placed behind them. The family remained still as an artist sat in front of them and skilfully put his paintbrush to a large canvas.
This painting was important, Narcissa was told. Only important families had their portraits painted. All she and her sisters had to do was stand still and look pretty.
Occasionally, Narcissa's eyes strayed toward the colossal floor-to-ceiling window that encompassed the entire southern wall of the room. A wild storm had been raging all day. Heavy rain battered against the glass while lightning tore across the clouds followed by the rolling boom of thunder. Narcissa liked it.
A particularly bright bolt of lightning flashed across the sky near the house. Narcissa's father winced and drew a wand from his pocket. The long curtains were whisked closed in one smooth motion. Her father squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed soothing circles on his forehead.
His head must hurt again, Narcissa thought. Her father suffered a lot of headaches, and she often felt bad for him.
With the curtains drawn, the room was even darker now. Narcissa stared straight forward again with a blank expression. She hadn't heard her sisters' voices in a while, not since earlier when the two had a petty squabble and her mother cast Silencio on them.
Bellatrix had mentioned once how horrible the silencing charm was. Your lips could still mouth the words, your vocal cords still vibrated in your throat, but no sound came out, no matter how badly you wanted it to.
And so, Narcissa never gave her mother a reason to silence her. She simply stared forward and stood still, just as her mother asked of them.
The portrait was finished none too soon, and hung high on the wall in the foyer, surrounded by other portraits of past Black family generations that had also once called the manor their home.
Narcissa thoughtfully inspected her likeness in the portrait. She frowned at her blond hair and blue eyes. The others in her family all flaunted dark features. Maybe Bellatrix wouldn't mock her so relentlessly if she looked more like them.
The three Black sisters retired to their bedroom. They could have easily had their own rooms. The house was certainly large enough. But they preferred it this way, with three beds all lined up in a row against the wall and one large closet to house their clothes.
Skimming her doll's dangling feet along the wooden floor, Narcissa hummed along to a song that played quietly on a small radio on a nearby table. Andromeda, the middle sister, turned a page in her book and nestled further into to a comfy leather settee. Bellatrix sat atop the windowsill, waving her toy wand dramatically in rhythm with the strikes of lightning.
Their mother had lifted the silencing charm from Bellatrix and Andromeda back in the foyer, but still, neither had spoken a word since. But now, as they each entertained themselves in their own ways peacefully in the dimly lit room, Narcissa felt perfectly at ease.
"HEY!"
All three girls jumped at a deep baritone. Their father came through the door, glass of dark liquor in hand. He marched right up to Narcissa, scooped her from the floor, and deposited her onto her bed. He stooped down to face her directly, and pointed a finger at her face.
"What have I told you and your sisters?! You do not play on the floor, do you?! No! You'll get sick! Stay off the bloody floor! Do you understand me?!"
Being this close, she could smell the familiar scent of strong cinnamon coming off his breath. From whatever it was he drank so often. Narcissa swore she had never seen him without a glass in his hand, always with the same dark liquid inside. An adult beverage, her mother told her once.
"I'm sorry, Papa. I forgot," Narcissa murmured remorsefully.
Bellatrix and Andromeda just watched with petrified expressions. Cygnus stood back up, and patted Narcissa on the head, looking down his nose at her.
"You're a good girl. Just do as you're told and Papa won't have to yell like that. It's that simple." Narcissa nodded, assuring him that she understood. Cygnus exhaled heavily.
"Anyway, you girls have a visitor."
Her father went to the doorway and leaned out, waving someone over. Another man soon appeared. Abraxas Malfoy — pale-faced and slicked blond hair — stepped into view. He was often invited to the house — usually in the evenings around this time. The two men would often loiter in drawing room, drinking and talking for hours into the night.
"It's good you instil that lesson into them while they're young," commented Abraxas, "I've heard of many pureblood witches who spoiled their wombs by sitting on the floor as children. Not even St. Mungo's could fix them." The man's eyes flickered over the three girls, and his lips quirked upwards. "Pretty little things, they are. But they won't be of much use if they're rendered infertile."
Something rustled with Malfoy's robes behind him. It appeared to be a small boy. The boy held onto to the hem of his father's cloak, further shielding himself with it as he recoiled back into the hallway.
"A bit shy, is he?" Cygnus chuckled, and downed some more of his drink.
"Oh for the love of—" The elder Malfoy huffed and took the boy by the arm. He slung him forward with unnecessary force, causing the boy to stumble into the room and fall to the ground. "Get up!" Abraxas barked, and the young boy cowered under his father's hard stare. "For Merlin's sake. Sometimes I fear I've fathered a bloody imbecile."
"I know it's rather late, but I won't have you girls entertaining him too long," Cygnus announced to them, apparently blind and deaf to Abraxas' cruelty just moments ago. "Play nice. And do not leave this room until we return. Is that understood?"
The three sisters all acknowledged their father's command, and the door closed with a soft click. Bellatrix made a face at the door and returned to the windowsill, stomping as she went. Andromeda followed, returning to her comfy spot on the settee and picking up her book once more.
The young boy righted himself, allowing Narcissa a better look at him. He greatly resembled his father — so blond and pale that he shone like a ghost in the dimly lit room.
"Hello," said Narcissa most politely. "What's your name?"
The boy didn't respond. Rather, he just blinked at her curiously. Perhaps he was shy. Narcissa was also shy when meeting new people. She just needed to make him feel comfortable.
"I have more dolls over there." Narcissa pointed to a shelf at the far end of the room that housed an array of rag-dolls and other plush toys. "Do you want to play with me?"
The boy nodded, spotting the shelf of toys and racing over to it. He took it upon himself to select one of the many whimsical-looking dolls before eagerly returning to Narcissa. He sat down beside her and mimicked the way she glided her doll along the bed.
"Can't he speak?" Bellatrix blurted out from the window. "What's wrong with him?" The boy shifted his eyes nervously at Bellatrix and he scooted closer to Narcissa.
"Papa told us to play nice, Bella!" Andromeda scolded her. Bellatrix just rolled her eyes and faced the window again.
"It's okay," said Narcissa reassuringly to the boy, "You don't have to speak if you don't want to." She leaned in a bit closer to whisper to him. "Bella just likes to be mean sometimes."
The boy smiled at her gratefully, and they continued to play in silence.
It was quiet for some time. The pair thoroughly enjoyed themselves in peace. Narcissa felt it a bit odd how often he stared at her without saying what for, but she let it be. He hadn't done anything wrong, after all. However, She was nearly startled when the boy suddenly spoke.
"My name is Lucius. I'm six."
"So he can speak, he just chose not to," said Bellatrix, "How rude."
Lucius gave Bellatrix a glance, his pale face scrunched with disliking for her.
"My name is Narcissa. I'm five."
"That's a pretty name. You look really pretty too," commented Lucius, and he smiled at her long blond hair. "You have pretty hair like my mother."
"Oh, that's nice. Thank you," said Narcissa gratefully, "But I wish I had dark hair like my sisters." She gazed longingly at Bellatrix and Andromeda. "How come I look so different?"
"Because you're adopted," said Bellatrix, with a little smirk. Andromeda glared at her.
"You're beautiful." Andromeda tried to comfort her youngest sister. "I wish I had hair like yours. Mother says you're unique."
"Hmm." Bellatrix looked unconvinced. "I think she looks like a Malfoy."
"Shut it, Bella! Papa told you to stop saying that. She's just joking with you, Cissy."
"I know," said Narcissa. She should have been used to comments like this. Bellatrix had always been fond of making cruel jokes.
"Do you like caramel corn?" Asked Lucius, pulling a small baggie from his pocket. "My father always sends me with snacks if we go anywhere, so that I don't ask for food while we're out."
He deposited some of the sweets into her tiny hands. She was hesitant, but popped one into her mouth, savouring the sweet taste of caramel for the first time. The sugar was almost cloying. Narcissa didn't think it possible for something to taste so sweet.
"Hey!" The sound of stomping alarmed them. Bellatrix stormed over to the pair and glared down at them. "Mother said we aren't allowed to have sweets, Cissy! I'm telling!"
Narcissa balked at her sister's threat. Their mother did indeed take eating healthy foods deadly seriously.
"Unless—" Bellatrix trailed off, "You let me have some. I can't tell on you if I've had some too, can I?"
Narcissa pouted, and placed the remaining pieces into Bellatrix's hand. The eldest Black sister shoved a few of the pieces into her mouth, and smacked obnoxiously as she chewed.
"Hmm, maybe he has his uses after all," said Bellatrix, turning on her heel and strolling back towards the window.
Narcissa felt a tap to her shoulder, and Lucius held out the bag of the caramel corn to her. "Here. You can eat the rest. I get to eat this all the time at home. I want you to have it."
Narcissa was hesitant, still fearing her mother possibly finding out, but she allowed Lucius to place the bag of sweets into her hands. Narcissa smiled as she crunched on another delicious piece.
"Thank you," she said, noticing how pleased Lucius looked to have made her happy.
"Who's that?" Bellatrix pressed her hands to the window. Andromeda was the first to join at her side, and soon, curiosity persuaded Lucius and Narcissa to check as well.
A hooded figure, cloaked in black with the hood drawn, stood at the front gates to the manor. The figure was tall, and angular in frame. It must have been a man, from what Narcissa could guess. Andromeda gasped when the unknown wizard passed right through the bars of the gate. Only those invited to the home were allowed through the gates. Even Narcissa knew that.
The figure glided gracefully through the garden and down the cobblestone pathway as if floating before disappearing from view. The sound of knocking on the front door made all of their heads turn. Bellatrix went straight for the bedroom door, cracking it open as carefully and quietly as she could.
"Hurry up and get the door," Malfoy's voice echoed from the foyer. "He doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"You both should feel lucky I'm even willing to indulge this meeting at all. And mind your tone," Black's voice shot back, and he grumbled, "Ordering me around in my own house."
The front door creaked open, and the two men welcomed someone inside.
"My Lord," Abraxas spoke, his tone turned obedient. "Words simply cannot express how grateful we are that you've agreed to meet with us. Please, come in."
The voices carried off into another room, fading along with the footsteps. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes, looked both ways, and slipped out into the hall.
"Where are you going?!" Andromeda asked nervously. "Papa told us to stay here!"
Bellatrix stopped and turned around with a finger to her pursed lips.
"Shhh! If you're quiet, you can come with me. Don't you want to know who's here?"
Any further protest Andromeda might have had died on her lips right then and there, and she slipped out of the room to join Bellatrix.
Narcissa was the next one out, but she paused upon noticing Lucius wasn't following behind her.
"Come with me," whispered Narcissa. She held out a hand for him, and he allowed her to guide him into the hallway.
The sleeping portraits were their only obstacle. One wrong step on a particularly squeaky floorboard and their ancestors would be ratting on them in a second. Lucius cringed when he accidentally stepped on an unfortunately creaky wooden floorboard. A nearby painting threatened to stir and shift out of slumber.
"Oops! I'm sorry—"
Narcissa quickly threw a hand over his mouth. All of them stood deadly still and waited. The painting shifted some more, and then settled back into a peaceful sleep.
They made it to the archway the led into the drawing room quick enough. Peaking around the corner, Narcissa saw the three men. Her father sat slouched in his favourite armchair, and a sour expression denoting he wished to be anywhere but there.
Across from her father, Abraxas sat on a sofa, to the right of another man. Lanky, with short black hair and a sinister face. Whoever this was, he certainly looked evil.
"That's the bad man," whispered Lucius to Narcissa. "He comes to my house a lot. He does scary things with my father."
Narcissa noticed the way Abraxas sat upright and proper next to the unknown man. The mysterious wizard rested back on the sofa, looking smug and confident. His posture matched that of Black's, as if attempting to rival his dominant presence.
"Your wife wouldn't happen to be joining us this evening, would she?" The mystery man checked. He spoke in an almost hiss, like a snake. It gave Narcissa chills.
"She won't be." Cygnus shook his head. "Druella goes to bed quite early most nights. Slipped a bit of sleeping draught into her earl grey. She'll be out cold until the morning, I'm sure of it."
"Good," replied the man with a smile, "It'll be best to discuss matters between just us men."
"And that would be what, exactly?" Cygnus asked impatiently, looking deeply uninterested in whatever was about to emerge from his guest's mouth next.
"I've heard the whisperings for some time now, as I'm sure you have. All of the heinous slander that's been going about, smearing your good family name." The wizard scoffed and shook his head. "These are backwards times we're living in. A time where the filth, the absolute scum of this earth, have the gall to spit on your family's legacy, and laugh. It must just infuriate you, does it not?"
"Bah!" Cygnus waved him off. "Let the people talk. The rubbish they spew doesn't affect my galleons in the slightest. I don't want respect from the likes of them anyway. The only respect that matters to me and my family comes from those within our own social circle. Those are the only opinions that matter to us."
Black's emphasis on the last bit seemed to strike a nerve within his guest. The vein in his forehead was throbbing at the remark.
"Fair enough, I suppose." The man chuckled and looked down at his feet. "I do so appreciate those whose confidence is warranted. Our kind is unfortunately all too rare these days. I plan to change that."
"Is that so?" Black narrowed his eyes.
"I think back to my days at Hogwarts," said the man, "Having to walk about the halls next to those vile creatures, masquerading as proper witches and wizards. This modern society doesn't seem to understand that magical ability is, in fact, not the end all be all. It's not just magic, it's the culture, the mindset, the heritage. All these things must be in order for wizard-kind to truly flourish."
"You say this as if I don't already agree," said Cygnus, "But as I said before-"
"What right do they have to force us into a corner," the man continued, "To force us into hiding to appease the Muggles, and then expect us to welcome their children into our community with open arms, just because they can do a bit of magic? The disrespect. The Muggles had their chance, millennia ago, to accept us for who we are and live amongst us in peace. But no, those weak- minded bludgers exposed themselves as the monsters they really are. They exploited us! Condemned us! Burned us!"
"Oh for Merlin's sake. Will you quit with the dramatic monologue and get to the bloody point," said Cygnus bluntly, "I've heard this shit before. Forget already that we had a thinker just like you but a couple decades ago? As unfortunate as it is, there will never be another Grindelwald. The ministry will make sure of that."
"The ministry won't be able to withstand what I have planned for them. The army I'm amassing is unlike anything they've seen before." He turned to Abraxas. "The Malfoy family has already pledged their allegiance to me. Show him."
"Yes, My Lord." Abraxas carefully lifted his left sleeve, revealing the squirming image of a skull spewing a snake from its mouth.
"Interesting tattoo." Cygnus raised a brow at the dark symbol. "So. You're asking me to join your little army as your—"
"Executioner." The wizard finished. "You're very clearly a strong-built man. I'm quite confident that you're capable of wielding much heavier things than a wand."
"I'd say so," agreed Cygnus with a smug smile. "But I do not see the point in utilising such brutish weapons in warfare when one can simply Avada their enemies. It's cleaner, quicker, and leaves no traces."
"As effective as the killing curse is, it seems some people need a bit more to be convinced. More of a spectacle, if you will. I for one have always been a fan of the term 'off with their heads'. And from the looks of it, I'd bet you'd do well wielding an axe. Abraxas would be the brains, and you would be the brawn. With him at my right hand, and you at my left, the Wizarding World will finally bow to us. Purity will prevail. It must prevail. And if a few heads need to roll in order to get the point across, then so be it."
"Purity." Cygnus let out a chuckle, and swirled the ice around in his glass. "Now what would you know about purity — Tom?"
Abraxas's face somehow went even whiter than it already was.
"Goodness. Haven't been called that name in ages. Anyway. The Gaunts were the purest in all of Great Britain," said Tom, his lips upturning into a haughty smirk. "But I'm sure you knew that already."
"The Gaunts," Black sneered, "Poor, inept, and inbred to all hell."
"You seem to have forgotten what family you come from, Cygnus," Tom commented, "I'd not be too hasty to cast judgement, if I were you."
"My family has seen the odd marriage between relatives, no shame in that. But your mother's family tree looks like a goddamn crochet pattern. Poor Merope. Overheard some blokes at the ministry talking about her once. Spoke of her resemblance to a cockeyed fish. Their words, not mine."
Tom's face began reddening, his features scrunched and his fists balled up.
"And your father — Riddle. A Muggle, wasn't he? Well, need I say more about that?" Black leaned forward and stared directly into Tom's eyes, as if challenging him. "I'll not hear a word about purity coming from your mouth. Descendant from Salazar Slytherin or not. You're not one of us. You will never be one of us. No wonder my cousin turned you down."
Tom was even redder now. He bared his gritted teeth and gripped the edge of the sofa, but still said nothing.
"Oh yes," continued Cygnus," Didn't think Orion would tell me all about you coming to him with a similar proposal? How foolish. Although, he might be a bit miffed to hear that I was offered a better position within your ranks than he was, scrawny as he is. You should've known he would never deign to take orders from a lowly Half-blood. Nor will I."
"Cygnus don't—" Malfoy started.
Tom threw his hand up in Abraxas' face, signalling for him to be silent. Tom grit his teeth, and tensed his neck before managing to ease himself.
"Now, now. Let's not get nasty. After all, I am only here to ask for your help in bringing forth a world more suitable for wizard-kind. Don't you want a safer world for your wife? For your daughters?"
Black slowly brought the glass of liquor away from his lips, and he gave Tom a threatening glare.
"You leave my girls out of this conversation," Cygnus spoke in a low growl.
"Your daughters will be talented witches one day, that is to be certain. But they're still so young yet, and so vulnerable without their wands. What would they do if something tragic happened to you? Surely you don't believe your wife could protect them from much. What a shame it would be if sudden tragedy befell all of them. And for what? Because their father was too selfish and arrogant to help make the world a safer place for them?"
Black leaped out of his chair, wand drawn. His glass went tumbling to the wood floor and shattered. He aimed and cast, his hex bouncing off of Tom's shielding charm and hitting the massive chandelier as it swung from its now loosened chain.
"Don't do this, Black!" Riddle yelled, brow furrowed and wand at the ready. "We can help each other!"
"Cygnus! Stop!" Abraxas hopped up, and drew a wand from his own pocket. He took a cast at Cygnus, hitting him in the shoulder. "You don't know what you're doing!"
A heavy spell hit Malfoy square in the chest, sending flying over the back of the sofa, head colliding with the wall.
"Leave him to me!" Riddle barked at Malfoy.
The children continued to watch from the hallway. Lucius seemed not too upset to see his father take such a hit. Narcissa felt it justified, for the way he treated Lucius earlier. It was mesmerising to witness the ferocious magic that left the tips of their wands. It was bright and colourful. More spectacular than any firework display.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Riddle sent the full-body binding curse Black's way. Cygnus levitated a nearby side-table and threw it in front of himself, blocking the spell.
With a twirling of his wand, Black tore away the long burgundy curtains that draped in front of the windows and wrapped Tom up in them. The fabric coiled around him like a snake constricting its prey. Tom choked, the fabric tightening around his neck. He fell to the ground and writhed within the tight coil.
Cygnus looked toward the window. The storm was still raging on with powerful lightning piercing the sky just above the house. He released the curtains and aimed his wand at the large window.
"You've got some nerve, Black!" Tom yelled, his voice harsh and raspy. Tom was back on his feet now. He pointed at the fireplace, and the flames began to dance to the command of his wand. The fire warped and twisted around like a great serpent, catching parts of the wooden trim on fire as it went. The fire reared the giant head of a snake, and the lunged at Cygnus, who ducked and cast a quick shielding charm against it.
Tom intensified the fire, and bore down against Black's protective shield further, eager to break it. "Submit, Black!" Tom demanded, face sweating and glowing with rage. "Submit or die!"
Cygnus grunted against the force of the fire, and he shifted closer to the window.
"After I've finished you off," Tom spoke with a cocky grin, "Your wife and daughters are next."
Then, a bright bolt of lightning flashed outside. The shielding charm broke at the last second. Cygnus rolled out of the way of the fire, aimed his wand outside, and a flash of electricity burst through the window, shattering it.
Tom was stuck in the chest and flew to the floor. Cygnus went to Riddle, looming over him menacingly. The captured electricity crackled at the tip of Black's wand.
Abraxas was still stirring on the ground at the opposite end of the room, barely conscious to what was happening.
Black raised his wand, and brought down vicious bolts of electricity that struck Riddle over, and over, and over again. Some of them were dodged, but each successful strike was brutal, and left a blackened scorch mark wherever it contacted. Riddle screamed and blocked his face with his hands. He lost track of his wand at some point, leaving him at the mercy of his adversary.
"Woah!" Admired Bellatrix, in awe of the prowess her father was displaying. The flashes were so bright, so loud, so violent.
When the flashes ceased, Tom convulsed on the floor, his breaths short and erratic. Cygnus raised his wand again, and firmly declared, "Crucio!"
On the last syllable, Tom crumpled to the floor. He retched and wailed in pain as Black's torture curse ripped through his body.
"Disrespect me?! Threaten my girls?! In my own house?!" Black's voice was truly dangerous now. "You filthy fucking Half-blood!"
Cygnus rotated his wand slowly, and the curse intensified. Tom's eyes squeezed shut and the veins in his neck looked ready to burst. His hands clenched at the floor and his body contorted into all manner of unnatural shapes. His screams had turned into guttural, animalistic cries of sheer agony.
"The Blacks answer to no one!" Cygnus looked crazed now — frenzied.
The torture curse ceased when Cygnus spotted a small pouch of Floo powder resting near the fireplace. Cygnus went for the pouch, turning away from his enemy. Tom stirred for a moment, struggling to pick himself up off of the floor. He quietly crawled for his wand, and aimed it at Black.
"Avada—"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Cygnus spun around to see his wife, draped in her wine-coloured night gown and long dark hair let loose from it's normally tight and tidy bun. Her wand was drawn, having stopped Riddle before he had done something irreversible.
Tom was frozen in place. Green sparks still crackled at the tip of his wand before it fell from his hands.
"What in Merlin's name is going on?!" Druella cried, her pretty face displaying her utter horror and confusion.
"Ella! You're supposed to be asleep." Cygnus gulped.
Druella began dowsing the flames that had spread amidst the duel with a Glacius charm.
"From the sleeping draught, I know!" Druella rolled her eyes. "Takes more than a few drops to keep someone out all night! I knew I tasted something in my tea! Fell asleep before I could even think on it further! Now take care of him!"
Cygnus summoned the petrified man inside the fireplace, along with his wand.
"Break it!" Druella said, her cold and clear voice was unforgiving. "Obliviate him and break his wand, now!"
"I can't obliviate him!" Cygnus gestured over to Abraxas, who was just now coming to. He rubbed the back of his head and groaned. "And he'll just be paired with another wand, Ella. Only the ministry can snap a wand and bar someone from purchasing another. Besides, sorry sod's probably learned his lesson anyway." He gazed down at Riddle, and kicked him with his boot. "Haven't you, mate?"
Tom remained motionless, and Cygnus chuckled, stooping down to get closer.
"If you ever come near my family again, I'll have your head on a spike on the front lawn of this house. Make no mistake about it."
Tom stared back at him. His motionless eyes somehow conveying the sense of betrayal he felt.
"Knockturn Alley," said Cygnus, and he threw the Floo powder on the ground. Tom was engulfed in the emerald flames, and vanished as soon as the fire calmed again.
Cygnus went to Abraxas, who had just barely managed to sit up right in his dazed state. The older man looked about the room, attempting to take in all the damage that had occurred unbeknownst to him.
Black glowered at Malfoy momentarily. He pocketed his wand and extended an arm to him. "Just go. I've had enough foolishness for one night."
"Cygnus, I—"
"Do not test our friendship, Malfoy. I am not a very patient man. You know that. Get your son and go. I'll send you an owl when I've cooled down a bit. Do not attempt this nonsense again, or you can count me as an enemy."
"Understood." Abraxas brushed himself off, upturned his nose. He turned to Druella, subtly looking her up and down.
"Druella," Malfoy nodded at her respectfully.
Cygnus stepped in front of her, shielding her from his view.
"Where are the girls?" Druella questioned, "They weren't in their room."
"They weren't?!" Cygnus was floored.
"Go, go, go!" Bellatrix ordered them in a whisper, and she shoved them down the corridor. They were caught almost immediately, they hadn't made it far.
"Stop right there!" Black yelled for them. All four children froze in place.
"Have they been there this whole time?" Druella asked, thoroughly confused. "How did I not see them before?"
"What did I explicitly say before I left you all upstairs?!"
None of them responded. Instead, the all looked to the ground with guilt.
"Let's go, Lucius!" Abraxas grabbed him harshly by the arm. Narcissa almost dared to grab Lucius' other arm and fight his father to let him stay. But before she knew it, the Malfoys were out of the front doors.
"Are you girls okay?" Druella asked frantically. She checked them for injuries, smoothed out their hair, and fussed with their dresses until the fabric was free of wrinkles and fell just right.
"We're okay," said Andromeda.
"How much did you see?" Asked Cygnus gravely.
"A lot," replied Bellatrix, looking to her sisters. None of them disagreed.
Druella gathered the girls with her arms in a sort of protective stance. She leaned in to her husband with a severe stare.
"I'm putting the girls to bed," Druella whispered through gritted teeth, "And then you will tell me exactly who that man was, and why the hell you brought him into our home."
"Language, Ella!" Cygnus was most serious. His eyes angled downward toward Bellatrix, who attempted to hold back her laughter. He narrowed his gaze at her, and Bellatrix's amusement ceased at once.
Later in bed, Narcissa clutched the blanket up to her nose. From just beyond the wall, two antagonistic voices battled each other for dominance. Her mother's voice had gone quite shrill and unpleasant, screeching as she demanded answers. Her father's deep tone boomed right back in response, rivalling the rumbling thunder just outside. This heated exchange had gone on for hours now.
Narcissa should have been able to fall asleep. It wasn't as though these screaming matches between her parents were uncommon. In truth, it felt rather odd to experience a night of peace and quiet. And besides, she knew her parents would make up by morning, like they always did Narcissa learned not to mind it.
With both Bellatrix and Andromeda asleep, Narcissa stared up at the shelf where her toys neatly sat. The two rag-dolls from earlier rested against each other, shiny button eyes and stitched smiles. All thoughts of mysterious dark wizards and daring drawing room duels evaporated in an instant.
Gratitude curved Narcissa's mouth into a little smile. She nestled further under the covers, letting the sound of the rolling thunder and her parents' furious feud lull her to sleep.