Narcissa woke first. It was growing dark outside, and the rain continued to thunder down. Her arm was still draped around the younger girl, who slept on quietly, breathing softly, her chest rising and falling slowly. Narcissa watched her, observing the curve of her cheek and corners of her mouth, her long eyelashes, the freckles on her nose. She shifted a little closer and pushed a loose strand of hair from Eira's face, tucking it behind her ear. Eira did not wake; she sighed deeply in her sleep and Narcissa saw a small smile pulling at her lips. It occurred to her then that she had never seen Eira smile until this moment.

"Eira…" Narcissa whispered softly. She said her name a couple of times before Eira finally stirred and looked at her sleepily through half-lidded, heavy eyes.

"Hmm?" she yawned.

"It's getting dark."

Eira suddenly appeared to be gripped by alertness and sat up quickly, a panicked sort of look on her face, "Where is your husband?"

Narcissa grasped her arm gently, "Shush, it's fine. He's not here. He won't be back until later tonight."

Eira relaxed a little at this reassurance and laid back down beside Narcissa, facing her again. The two women looked at one another, both blushing softly with their noses almost touching; Narcissa entwined her arm around Eira again, her burning eyes possessed by the ardour of a lover.

"Would it be so terrible if we kissed again?" Narcissa murmured.

"Yes, it would. We really shouldn't, Mrs Malfoy…" she replied, but while saying so, she held close to Narcissa fondly, their bodies now flush against one another.

"You… you may call me Narcissa…"

"Narcissa," Eira nodded.

"This is strange for me too, you know… I wouldn't normally…"

"I know."

"And…" Narcissa's voice hitched a little in her throat as she spoke, "and I love Lucius."

Eira said nothing. She stared at Narcissa, watching the painful battle she could see behind her deep brown eyes. Her mascara had smudged slightly and stained her cheek; Eira lifted her hand and rubbed the black smudge with her thumb. As she pulled her hand back in, Narcissa caught hold of it and rested her cheek against the palm, and then softly, gently, turned her hand and kissed Eira's fingertips.

"When Draco was a little baby," Narcissa said, "I used to kiss his tiny hands and fingers, and his little feet."

Eira smiled, "I can tell you love him very much."

"He's always been a sweet little boy. I just worry Lucius is too hard on him."

"Was Draco excited to go to Hogwarts today?"

"Yes," Narcissa nodded, "he should be there by now, or arriving very soon… I still remember my first day at Hogwarts, just like it was yesterday."

"I wish I could be a witch," Eira pressed her hand in Narcissa's now, entwining their fingers together.

"Your future children could be witches or wizards… or I mean, they could've been…" she looked a little awkward, blushing at her mishap.

"They will be. Sirius will get out," Eira said with genuine confidence, thinking back to the note with a flutter of excitement. She hesitated, considering confiding in Narcissa about her pregnancy, but decided not to.

Narcissa felt an ugly feeling of jealously at this declaration, realising then that she did not want Sirius to be released, for it would surely mean losing Eira. She could not bear thinking of it. Eira knew what Narcissa was thinking, and she lightly kissed her knuckles.

"You shouldn't look so sad about that."

"I can't help it."

"You can," Eira said a little more firmly, now releasing Narcissa's hand and sitting up again, "Do you want your bath tonight?"

Narcissa nodded, also sitting up, "Yes, but not yet."

Eira could feel her guard slipping away the longer she looked at Narcissa, whose robe had slipped open slightly and partially exposed her white breast. Her skin almost seemed to glow in the growing darkness of the room. Narcissa, now seeming to notice the bleak dimness, reached for her wand and muttered a simple incantation to light every candle in the room, and then settled back down against the pillows.

Narcissa really was beautiful, Eira thought as if noticing it for the first time. Her face was pale and unblemished, and her deep-set eyes were brimming with an extraordinary sadness. The older woman sat with her hands resting in her lap, wringing her hands and twirling her rings, her eyes down. Eira, whose good sense had enforced an intimate distance between them until now, leaned in and lifted Narcissa's chin; before her brain could tell her to stop, she kissed her, lightly at first, unsure; but when Narcissa parted her lips and she felt the flick of her gentle tongue against hers, Eira deepened the kiss and weaved her hands behind her head to draw her closer. Their eyes closed, their hot breath passed between one another, electric, magnetic; Narcissa snaked her arms around Eira's waist and held her.

It felt different from kissing a man and it was a difference noticed by both of them. Sirius's facial hair always tickled Eira's cheeks when he kissed her, and Narcissa was accustomed to the rough feeling of Lucius's stubbled chin. They both also noticed how small and fragile the other felt in each other's slender arms. It was entirely unchartered territory, but they neither hesitated nor stopped at any point, overtaken by a natural, dizzying passion of such intensity they hardly knew what was happening.

Eira pulled away for a breath and swallowed thickly, staring at Narcissa with deep longing, her lips trembling. Narcissa at once pulled her back to her and kissed her deeply, more deeply and more passionately than she had kissed in a long time; to Narcissa, her world was reawakening, stirring. She hadn't felt a anything like this in years.

"Narcissa…" Eira breathed out, "We should stop."

The reality of the situation came crashing back down for them both. Narcissa withdrew her warm lips from Eira and nodded, averting her eyes as if she felt embarrassed at her display of passion. It wasn't right; it could never be right.

"Lucius will probably be on his way back soon…" Narcissa murmured as she rearranged her robe, pulling it around herself.

"Where did he go?" Eira asked, more to make conversation than out of any genuine curiosity.

Narcissa shrugged, "The Ministry, I think. He said he was having drinks with someone from there."

Eira frowned slightly, "Having drinks? You just sent your only son off to Hogwarts and he's left you here alone while he goes out drinking?"

"He knows I'm not alone," Narcissa replied with a little resentment in her voice, "I have you."

"I don't think he sees me as a person, Narcissa. For all intents and purposes, you're alone."

Narcissa didn't argue. She pulled her knees up to her chest and sighed gently, blinking hard to stop another onslaught of tears as she thought about Draco.

"I miss Draco so much already," she said, subdued.

Eira looked at her and with a little hesitation, took hold of her hand. "You'll get used to not having him around."

"It's too quiet," she shook her head in response, "And what if he doesn't like it there? What if he feels homesick and needs me?"

"He can write to you, but I am sure he is fine."

"What if he doesn't need me at all…" Narcissa then mumbled, picking at a feather from her pillow.

"Don't think that," Eira implored, squeezing her hand gently, "he loves you and will always need you."

"You won't leave me, will you?"

Eira stared at her for a short moment, unable to answer. She then simply kissed Narcissa's knuckles and said, "Let's prepare your bath."

Lucius observed an unwelcome change in his wife over the next few days. He felt disturbed whenever he saw her laughing about something with Eira, giggling and gossiping like a schoolgirl, and was extremely unnerved when he saw them walking arm-in-arm across the grounds one afternoon. He had frequently walked into rooms to find them having tea together, and another time walked into the bedroom to see Narcissa dressing Eira up in one of her finest gowns and most expensive jewellery. The two of them quickly became inseparable and Lucius bore silent witness to it.

He did not suspect the full measure of the relationship; in fact, an intimacy between Narcissa and Eira did not even occur to him. He did not think his wife could be that unnatural. As usual, Lucius presumed it was about him; he knew he had upset Narcissa's sentiments regarding Draco and thought she was trying her very hardest to spite him. Admittedly, if that had been her intention, it was working. Lucius was growing increasingly irritated.

"Narcissa," he began one evening, folding his newspaper as Narcissa re-read a letter she had received from Draco that morning. She didn't look up, but Lucius continued, "Cissy, dear, where is Eira?"

Narcissa looked up now. Lucius's lip twitched in irritation.

"She's upstairs in her room," Narcissa replied a little warily, "Why?"

Lucius shrugged, "Well, she is usually with you."

Narcissa looked back down at her letter, quickly changing the subject, "Draco says he is enjoying potions class."

"Yes, you've told me that already," Lucius replied stiffly, "And I've read the letter myself."

Narcissa slowly folded the letter and slid it back into its envelope, frowning as her husband fixed his disapproving gaze upon her.

"Surely you know what I wish to speak to you about?" he said.

Narcissa shook her head, "No."

"That girl."

"What about her?"

"I have warned you about her."

"Then you have wasted your breath," Narcissa answered shortly.

Lucius threw his newspaper aside impatiently, causing Narcissa to jump slightly. "How can you degrade yourself like this?"

"Like what?"

"Stop playing games with me, Narcissa," he snapped, "You know exactly what I am talking about."

"You are angry that I have a friend?" Narcissa narrowed her eyes.

"A friend!" he scoffed, "Our kind do not form friendships with her kind."

"Well, seeing as my choice in friends and companions is limited, I no longer care what she is," Narcissa retorted.

"You have plenty of friends, Narcissa."

"If you mean those women that I entertain for tea every month, you are mistaken. They are not my friends."

"What is this really about?" he leaned forward in his chair.

"What do you mean?" Narcissa frowned.

"You must be doing this for some kind of attention, for a reaction."

"I can assure you I am doing nothing of the sort. I am fond of Eira."

"Do I neglect you, Narcissa? Have I ever denied you anything?"

"No, of course not, but I —"

"Am I not a good husband to you?" he stared at her steadily, "or a good father to Draco?"

"Don't ask me such questions," Narcissa was now beginning to feel upset and looked away, opening the letter again. Lucius reached forward and snatched it from her hands.

"I give you everything, Narcissa," he snarled, "I let you send Draco to Hogwarts instead of Durmstrang; I let you spend my money, buy whatever you want, whatever Draco wants, and now I've let you keep that girl as your so-called maid, just to humour you, and you treat her like a beloved pet, blind to the fact she's nothing but a dirty rat. You are an embarrassment."

"It was your idea to take her in!" Narcissa at once argued.

"Yes, for the sake of appearances," Lucius fired back, "if you think I ever had a drop of pity for her, you are gravely mistaken."

"I could never have made that mistake, Lucius, as you pity no one but yourself."

Lucius's eyes flashed with a wave of terrible anger at this; he at once rose from his seat, grabbed Narcissa roughly by the shoulders, and hit her across the cheek with the back of his hand. His wedding band struck her lip, breaking the delicate skin, and it erupted with bright red blood. Narcissa cried out and touched the cut, staring at her husband fearfully. He had never struck her before.

"Lucius…" she said, her eyes filling with tears.

"Do not test my patience, Narcissa," he said darkly, "it is not without limits. I will throw that girl out if I see reason to do so."

"You cannot do that, she has nowhere to go!"

He laughed coldly, "Actually dear, I can happily inform you that she does in fact have somewhere to go; Remus Lupin has been sniffing around the Ministry, requesting to see her. He wants to remove her from our care. That impertinent little witch you invited to dinner last week has also expressed interest in the girl."

"They can't…" Narcissa felt sick, "They can't take her away. How long have you known this?!"

"Since last week. I have kept them away because I know you are oddly fond of Eira, but sooner or later, someone is going to come here and want to speak to her. And what do you think Eira will say? Do you think she will want to stay here with you?" he said tauntingly.

Narcissa stood up and began to cry softly, turning her face away; she strode past Lucius quickly and fled the room, running straight upstairs. Eira heard Narcissa's unusually fast footsteps on the floor and opened her door, stepping out of her room as Narcissa approached tearfully.

"Mrs Malfoy…" Eira gasped softly when she saw the blood on her face. She reached for her, but Narcissa drew aside.

"Leave me alone," she sobbed, disappearing into her own room, slamming the door behind her.

Eira stood on the spot, stunned. She stared at the door, listening to Narcissa's heavy sobs as she clattered around the room. She then heard another set of footsteps on the stairs – heavier, firmer – and she at once turned to hide back in her room. Lucius caught sight of Eira just before she could shut her door.

"Now, now, not so fast, girl," he walked a little quicker towards her.

Without giving it a second thought, Eira ignored him and rushed to lock herself in the bathroom. Her heart dropped when a moment later he easily unlocked it with basic magic.

"Not so clever, are you?" he sneered.

Eira backed away into the corner of the room, standing behind the large bathtub. Lucius made a move to grab her, but Eira darted aside, making an escape she knew was futile even before she moved; Lucius caught hold of her arm and grasped her firmly, digging his fingers hard into her skin.

"I think you and I need to have a little chat."

"No!" Eira struggled furiously, "I haven't done anything, let me go!"

"Let's go down to my study and have a cup of tea."

A split second later, before she could work out how she got there, Eira found herself inside Lucius's study. A large armchair drew itself up behind her, causing her to fall into it involuntarily. Lucius calmly sat down in the chair opposite. In front of them was a table set for tea, placed in front of the hot, burning fireplace.

"Now then," he began, pouring a cup of tea for Eira, who watched him with guarded suspicion.

"Why did you hit her?" Eira interrupted before he could start.

"Narcissa?"

"Yes, who else?" she glared. Internally she was terrified he knew. Had he seen them together? Eira thought back to a brief warm evening in which her and Narcissa had been taking a turn around the gardens, arm-in-arm, and Narcissa had fondly kissed her cheek in the rose garden. He couldn't have seen them. There was no view of the rose garden from the house, and their more impassioned kisses took place in the privacy of Narcissa's dressing room. It was impossible.

"Have you forgotten your manners again, girl?" he narrowed his eyes on her. "You will call me sir."

"Why did you hit Narcissa, sir?" Eira spat back.

"I'll hit you in a moment if you don't show me some respect. I will not have you two women walking all over me."

Eira bit her tongue and sat still, staring at him. With great inner strength, Eira replied with feigned regret, "I'm sorry, sir."

"It's none of your business as to why I hit her. She is my wife, and I am master of this house. Anyway, I have not brought you in here to discuss my marital troubles. I have a piece of news that I think will interest you."

Eira's heart flipped with the sudden thought of Sirius. "Has he been released?" she asked at once, "My husband?"

Lucius frowned, irritated at being interrupted again. "No, he has not."

Eira sat back a little, feeling foolish. She waited for Lucius to continue, who did so, "Your husband's friend, Remus Lupin, has been asking about you."

Eira had not expected this. She looked at him, "Remus?"

"I believe he wishes to arrange your removal from my home."

Eira at once felt a conflict of feelings at this sudden revelation. She stared at Lucius, unsure of what to say.

"I leave the decision in your hands," Lucius then said, sipping his tea. "Frankly, I cannot stop you if you wish to leave. I am sure you have considered running many times already. So, here is your chance."

Eira felt wary, watching his face for any hint of a lie. He was impossible to read though.

"I'd like to speak to Remus myself," she said finally.

"I will arrange it," he looked at her, then at her full cup of tea, "Do you not like tea? You seem to enjoy drinking it with my wife most days."

"I don't drink tea before bed, thank you, sir," Eira replied a little stiffly.

"As you please," he fixed his eyes on hers, watching her closely. "You may go."

Eira felt more bewildered as she slowly rose from the chair, eyeing him distrustfully. He did not stop her though; he picked up a book and ignored Eira as she walked freely from the room and back up to her bed.