Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.

Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. There is also infidelity as a plot point. Feel free to back out if need be.

Author's Note: Just as a reminder, no matter what you think or feel, you are not entitled to anyone's time or attention. If they block you, stalking them & their associates through multiple sites is more than a little creepy.

Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Ministry (Winter Year 1); RAVEN (2023); MC4A (Winter Year 5)
Individual Challenges: Old Shoes (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); In a Flash; Green Ribbon; Slytherin MC; Slytherin MC; Slytherin MC; Magical MC; Magical MC; Magical MC; Lunar Era; Ship Sails
Ministry Challenges: RRD [Day 05] (Lucius/Rabastan/Bellatrix)
RAVEN Challenges: Settings [99](Night); Items [56](Grandfather Clock); Colors [47](Emerald)
Other Challenges: Zee Monthly [Day 06](Stroll)
Other MC4A Challenges: Ship (n/a)[ SpMed2 (Puppy Pile); FaBig (Library); WiMed2 (Ache/Pain); 2E (Huddling for Warmth)]; Chim [Rick]("Louder than Words" – Tick, Tick, Boom; Life/Death);Fire [x3](Family Matters); Garden [Mixed Bag Senary (Collage); Eat Your Heart (Poly Ship); Moar Tropes (Poly Ship)]; Hang [Phrase 3] (n/a); Soup [N](Night)
Representation(s): Lucius Malfoy/Rabastan Lestrange/Bellatrix Lestrange
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Sweetest Burn; Second Verse (Three's Company; Snow Lemon; Esbat); Chorus (Tomorrow's Shade; Unicorn; In the Trench; Hot Stuff; Strange Potatoes)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: Share (Athenaeum); DP (Terse; Taciturn; Yearn); AD (Association; Archery); SHoE (Terse); LiCK (Narcissus)
Word Count: 428 words

(^^)
Dark Manor
(^^)

Lucius walked casually along the halls of the estate, making sure to stay in the shadows while keeping his pace steady and unhurried. He had to be discreet; discovery would create more headache than any of them wanted. At the same time, he was the lord here, and no one had the right to force him to act like a common criminal. The best option was to make it look like he was just taking a late-night stroll. He paused near a window overlooking the front lawn to admire the way that the full moon made the flock of white peacocks glisten like stars against the dark emerald grass. It was as if Magic Herself had designed a collage on his lawn.

He was also listening for any sounds in this wing of the manor. It would not do to be observed by anyone who may be roaming the vicinity. Taking a deep breath, Lucius stepped from the shadows and into the light spilling across the entrance hall's marble floor.

He quickly scaled the grand staircase, eager to make it to the top without being noticed. Finally, Lucius arrived at his destination, a rarely visited library tucked away towards the back of the manor, the room where Bellatrix and Rabastan were waiting. He felt a wave of relief wash over him as he stepped inside and closed the door.

The couple had been talking in hushed tones, but they quickly quieted as Lucius entered the room. A look of surprise and relief swept over their faces, and the tension in the room was broken. They beckoned him to the window seat that they were curled up in. Piled together like nesting swans, they looked out onto the estate, this time across the rose garden.

The trio talked of forbidden things, of adultery and secrets. They spoke of the danger they were in from the war and the risks they had taken in fighting for their Lord. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a sense of hope and excitement in the air. They felt as if they were at the edge of something, opening a new world to each other. They did not love each other but at the same time what they did feel for each other defied any other bond they had.

The conversation was cut short when the grandfather clock struck midnight, and Lucius knew it was time to leave. He bid goodbye and with one final look, disappeared into the night.

Draco would wake soon for a feeding. Narcissa would notice his absence.