Trigger Warning: This chapter does contain a scene of non-consensual relations and domestic violence. Please skip chapter if needed.
Narcissa's POV
We look at one another in horror.
I'm shocked at her expression. She looks somewhat...I don't know. Relieved.
But my confusion was short lived as the air shifted. Chaotic was the scene as we grabbed at clothing strewn across the floor. I accidently grab her shirt; she grabs my slip. We don them before we realize we have picked up the wrong items.
Hermione's POV
Laughter.
That is what was needed to lift the heaviness of this moment. She was going to say something. One can only speculate that she was going to end it. End us.
We stare at one another. He's back. I'm jealous. Will he share her bed now? If only to keep up appearance's sake. Will this woman descend into the cold hearted shell of herself?
Will I loose myself?
More importantly, will I lose her?
Narcissa's POV
She's fighting something. I can tell. I want to cry. Scream. I want to take the clothes on my back and leave with her. Just her. Although we both knew that at some point he would return and this would have to end, it doesn't change how much it hurts. How much I am hurting. It's as if I'm being denied oxygen and in a way I am.
I close in the distance pulling her into my arms. She pulls at the shirt. Buttons fly everywhere. Her mouth is hot, feverish on my skin.
Hermione's POV
My hands, mouth are everywhere. I want to remember every inch of her skin. Her taste. Smell.
"Hermione, please." Her upper body is shaking. She's fought as long as she could. My love is starting to break down. I fear I am not too far behind as my eyes start to water.
Narcissa's POV
Sniffles.
She feels it too.
I tried to stay strong but I am tired. I'm exhausted with pretending. I squeeze her tight before pushing her at arms length. She and I must endure. If only for a little while.
"We must go. They're waiting." I whisper against her forehead. She only nods.
We dress both donning the proper attire. The scene is less chaotic than previously. The air hangs with a sadness that I can't quite place. It's only fitting that I lead the way.
I enter the formal living room to find Lucius on the couch a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He stands when we enter the room.
"Ah, about time. You care to tell me the meaning of this Auror Granger?" He gestures toward her completely ignoring me.
Hermione's POV
I move over to Ron using the slowed movements to gather my thoughts. I also want to be closer. Ron is seething and I fear a fight might ensue.
"I already told you Mr. Malfoy," Ron hisses the name taking a small step closer, I mimic his actions preparing to intervene if needed,
"Yes you did. But when seeking information I prefer to speak with a superior." Lucius returns his attention to me. He's quiet waiting. Annoyed.
"Mr. Malfoy, we are here because due to the attack on Mrs. Malfoy. She has been placed under an order of protection from Minister Kingsley."
"Really? The minister cares so much," he casts a disdainful gaze in Narcissa's direction, "about a housewife."
She clinches her jaw but says nothing.
"Mrs. Malfoy is a war heroine. She deserves every manner of protection for her bravery."
The hisses from Ron and Lucius are indistinguishable from one another.
Draco shifts his weight from one foot to the other. He's just as uncomfortable as I am.
"Well, do make yourselves at home." Lucius snarls his grey gaze dancing from Ron to me and back to Ron. His eyes darken. It hard to tell who he hates more at the moment.
Narcissa's POV
I'm glad this is going...well. For lack of a better word.
My boy looks different. He looks sullen. Scared. He's not looked at me since I've entered the room. I'm curious as to the nature of their trip and what has taken place to shake Draco so. I haven't seen his countenance this low in two years. That scares me.
"My love...come." His gaze is hard and dark. His eyes are even colder. I bristle at the endearment. My love. I was wondering when the show would start. I nod following behind him.
"We will stay out of the way. You won't know that we are here." Hermione calls out to our back.
"See that you do." He throws the statement over his shoulder.
Once we are far from the formal living room and on the second floor landing does he grab my arm. The other hand is around my throat. The cane and glass crash to the floor.
"What did you tell them?" Spittle covers my face. I'm terrified I know he's seen it because he smiles.
"Nothing..."
That's all I can manage to get out.
"Are you sure? They wouldn't send two thirds of the Golden Trio if it were nothing. So what did you say?"
I push against him but he immobilizes me with his weight. His body is flush against mine and I feel his erection through his robes. I'm nauseous.
"Nothing...Lucius I said nothing. The order came and they showed up at the gate."
He tightens his hold before loosening it stepping back slightly. He slides his hands down my chest and over my breasts. I hold back the urge to fight. To push him away. Before I can react he moves further back bending down to pick up his cane. His gaze falls back on me.
"Pity."
He sighs deeply before turning and heading up the stairs. I follow.
Hermione's POV
I'm worried. Not for mine or Ron's but for Narcissa's sake. Draco looks around the room. His eyes are darting everywhere before they drop down to his shoes.
They're dirty.
I can't shake the feeling that's he's been up to something. Judging by the way he keeps shifting his weight he still is.
I open my mouth to speak but was silenced.
"I'm glad you're here. For my mother."
We lock eyes briefly and I can tell that he is sincere. Somehow his words have a deeper meaning. I want to probe further but he's gone before I can utter a syllable. He follows a different path than his parents.
Ron sighs plopping down on the couch.
"Can you believe this? I mean I knew Lucy would be home at some point but Bloody Hell! I thought he was going to curse us both."
He rubs a thick hand through his hair.
"This complicates things." I make the statement aloud more to myself than Ron but he snorts in agreeance all the same.
Narcissa's POV
He takes a familiar path. Too familiar as we are outside my bedchamber.
"Your room is on the other side of the manor." I state.
I'm sure why I am whispering.
He dismissively throughs up his hand and enters leaving the door open. I follow.
"Narcissa, what is this?"
He turns pointing at the table. There are two plates and two glasses. I forget Hermione and I had dinner here before ending the night in her room.
I walk over with such ease and poise I startle myself.
"Nothing Lucius. I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner in my room since their arrival. I just forgot to tell April to clear the table."
He grunts, "normally we don't have to tell April anything."
"Well, there are additional guests and the Weasley boy can eat an elephant under the table. He's quiet messy as well." I had no issue with telling on Mr. Weasley. The boy is a nightmare and continues to make me uncomfortable with the way his eyes roam over my body.
"Be sure to keep a tally of food costs for our guests," he hisses looking around my room disdainfully, "the ministry will compensate me for this...inconvenience."
"Yes of course."
I start to stack dishes. Moving them around really. I'm waiting for him to leave. The same chill runs itself up my spin. He's close. I nearly jump when I feel his hand in my hair.
He wraps his arms around me. Possessively.
"The bed. It's already unmade." He roughly grabs my breast and swallow the bile in my throat.
He spins me around in his arms to face him. Lucius kisses me clinching my bottom lip in his teeth. I swallow a yelp. He has drawn blood. I can taste the metal. He's pulling at my dress guiding us toward the bed.
I resist.
I can't lay with him there. I can't lie with him. Period. My unwillingness only pushes him more toward the edge. I know this. I know what is to come, but I think of Hermione. What would she think? I can't hurt her.
I place my hands on his chest and push with everything in me. This catches him by surprise and he steps back. I don't have time to react before his fist collides with my left cheek. I stumble falling against the table.
He quickly places a silencing charm. The man before me is manic.
"I wanted to be gentle."
He's advancing toward me. I make a move toward the door but he's faster grabbing me by the hair. Lucius tosses me to the ground. He's on top of me shredding my clothes. Bruising me. Marking me. He's inside me. Moving. Brutal and I scream into the hand covering my mouth.
Lucius finishes quickly.
I'm sore all over and my face hurts. I can barely see him through the bruising. My eyes are nearly swollen shut.
I sit up. From the small 'ah' that escapes his lips I must have surprised him. I've surprised myself. Onto all fours I roll then awkwardly stand although my body is screaming for me to stay down. Stay small.
He chuckles, "look at you. If I had known you liked it rough I would have visited more often."
"Get out."
His eyebrows rise and my shoulders go back. We are both astonished. I've never exhibited this sort of boldness. Not with him. Not with anyone.
More laughter.
"My dear. You are charming." His voice is deadly as he approaches slowly. My nerves are rising and I pull at what little remains of my tattered dress doing a poor job of covering my bare breasts.
His hands are buried deep in my hair. My head is forced back at an awkward angle.
"You know what I am capable of. The ways I can make you hurt. Maybe we should visit our little playroom. Hmm?"
My cheeks are wet. Yes. I know what he is capable of. It took a lot of work. Potions. Beauty spells to rid the bulk of the scars I received at his hand.
"Answer me."
"No." My voice is small. Pathetic and more hot tears slip over battered lids.
He releases me.
"Good. I will take my leave."
Just like that, he's gone.
I sank to the floor overcome with sobs and shame.
Hermione's POV
He's gone.
Just like that they both are and for two days after returning home. If Lucius's plan is to diminish suspicion he's doing a poor job of execution. He's on my radar more than ever. Snooping has become a hobby of mine and from the way Ron is at my side as we look around the manor he's in full agreeance. If anything he seems happy.
It's been two days. No sign of her. I'm concerned. My mind had been so occupied with Lucius and the job that Narcissa has temporarily taken a back seat. Or rather with him back I figured we wouldn't have time together.
I wanted to distance myself before she called it off.
We looked around a first floor study. Nothing. We have found absolutely nothing. Ron sighs checking the clock.
"Hermione, what exactly are we looking for?"
I paused. I had flipped through this date book twice hoping the mundane healer's appointments and laundry pick ups would morph into something more. Defeated, I fall into the leather chair.
"I don't know." Sighing I close the leather bound journal. Surely with us here he has moved things. Maybe even removed them from the house.
"Well, Hermione I'm out. I should be back in a few hours." He doesn't wait for a response before he crosses the room and exits.
Narcissa is on my mind and I rise heading in the direction of her room.
Narcissa's POV
The knock is faint and I relax. He would have barged in. Not knocked.
"Narcissa? It's me."
My heart clenches. I take a look at myself in the mirror I don't want her to see me like this.
"I'm not feeling well." My voice comes out hoarse.
The door knob jiggles she's trying to get in. Aside from locking the door, I have done nothing else. My wand is on the vanity I could grab it. Barricade myself in but I don't. I allow her to undue the lock. To enter.
I need someone. I need her. I hear footsteps approaching and I close my eyes.
They steps stop. Then a gasp.
Hermione's POV
I'm going to kill him. My eyes began to water when I take in the degree of bruising on her face.
I move slowly placing my hands on her shoulders.
Narcissa's hands fly to her face. She's starting to sob.
"I'm going to make him pay for this." I hiss. She's dropped her hands and now is holding my gaze.
"No. Hermione, this is...normal. I..."
Narcissa's POV
I trail off. I shudder at my words. At the next words that had yet to come out of my mouth. Just the thought is atrocious. I've truly turned into my mother.
I turn to her.
"Hold me. Just hold me."
"Ok."
She takes my hand leading me toward my bed. I stop.
"Not here."
Her eyes are full of understanding and she leads me toward the door. I hiss and she stops. Looking at me.
Her expression has changed. It's unreadable as she lowers to her knees.
Hermione's POV
She moves slowly. Anger clouded my gaze and I didn't really see. She's walking slightly wide leg her hand is at her lower abdomen near her...
I know the signs. The hiss.
I fall to my knees. I disassociate. I have to. I need to be impartial and I part the lower half of her robe. The one pale unblemished flesh of her thighs are covered. The bruise is long deep purple. It extends upward toward her core. Lucius did more. When I stand and look at her, she closes her eyes.
"What did Lucius do to you? Tell me everything he did."
Narcissa's POV
Her voice chills me. I shudder although her anger, the rage, isn't directed toward me I can't help but recoil slightly.
"He does what he always does. I don't want to talk about it." I wrap my arms around myself.
I hope she leaves this alone.
"Ok." Her expression softens.
"You'll stay in my room."