Back to Black

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Time at one point stood still keeping Narcissa imprisoned. Waiting...waiting as prey does when the tiger strikes but now...
Time was moving ever so quickly.
Almost too fast.
Forcing her to change to sharpen her tongue, her features to break and re-shape her very spirit over and over and over again.

Naturally this was for the Dark Lord's purposes. For his approval and ultimately for catching Lucius' own stubborn heart or what piece she could manage to collect in time.

Time. What was time? What defined it? How much time did she really have?

The moment she had spent with Antonin could have ruined or made her- fortunately enough the Dark Lord himself was present and had won Narcissa over the moment he defended her against Antonin's cruel motives.

He had defended her. He told her to remember where her true loyalties lie ... and so she would.

She was laying on the victorian style couch in the slytherin common room, closest to the fire her petite feminine frame - a blind man could tell she was a woman- was relaxed though her eyes remained focused- the light of the fire casting itself against them and creating a hue of various colors lighting up her beautiful and haunting face.

What would she do next? What card would turn in her favor if any at all? When would she see Lucius?

So many questions and time... was still ticking away.

She wanted to see him and yet a part of her remembered Antonin as well. She closed her eyes, inhaled slowly and turned her face away from the fire trusting the darkness to wait to claim her at least for a little while longer.

Narcissa allowed her eyes to flick back up to Lucius when he caught her in that cold stare. Even after all of that time away from him how was it that he pulled her in so easily? Her fingers stopped working on her hair and she sat there rather rigid but refined nonetheless deciding on what she should say to him. At the comment about Dolohov's face her full lips turned upwards just slightly though she didn't seem to enjoy hearing his name spoken aloud. After all that he had done to her... it was clear why this unhinged her a bit. However- if such a sacrifice pleased Lucius even in the slightest it was a step in the right direction.

"Yes, that mark won't fade for quite some time. Doesn't matter much. You were always more charming then Dolohov in the first place-"

she watched as Bella consoled Lucius for the loss of his father and glanced away. She was sure her sister expected her to be just as gentle about what had happened but had a growing feeling that Lucius was in the right position now...female intuition telling her that he may be happier for it.

Finally she stood up and went over to them touching their hands together.

"You have my apologies as well, Lucius. I don't think anyone could have predicted this tragedy..." she decided to stop there allowing him to think she may be a clueless blonde after all though it was clear, deep in her eyes, she may have shown otherwise.

Narcissa turned her attention to her older sister and pursed her lips together drawing in a small breath through her bridged nose. Lucius hadn't quite heard her side of the story yet either so this would be a first for both of them... but just how much should she tell?

She decided the short version would be best and thought it wise to keep Lucius' name out of the equation. He may not have wanted Bellatrix to know he played a role in what had happened.

"I met Dolohov by choice. We shared some words. I made my request and he made his own...I left before the night was out. Don't look concerned Bella, I'm fine now...see?" she motioned to all of her limbs being intact. "True he's a powerful wizard but not as powerful as some. Besides in the process the Dark Lord came to meet us." she said skipping the details. "In the end he protected me from Dolohov and told me to remember who was most loyal in the end. I believe our family may be back in favor... because I promised him something Bella. Something that he wanted."

She smiled then, a small knowing smile that looked pleasant beneath her eyes.

"That is all." she drew her hand away from them but remained close in case either decided to probe further with questioning.

There was a moment of silence. Narcissa noticed the look in his eyes and wondered just how much she could tell him without catching hell for it. Then again, when it came to Lucius- he WAS a double-edged sword. Honesty was best, in the end, she concluded nodding slightly and clearing her throat to come out with it.

She kept her eyes on him this was more between she and Lucius then Bella but spoke loud enough for both of them to hear.

"You knew what would happen when I went there Lucius and I did all that I could to please you and earn what you asked of me. That being said there was only one thing that Antonin wanted- nothing else worked."

she paused letting it sink in that she was forced to give up her virginity to gain an edge over Antonin...but that wasn't where it had ended.

"In the end... the Dark Lord himself made his appearance known. Antonin made to mock me after he forced me to lay with him and I was sure that Voldemort would turn his wand on me. He was unpleased with what had happened and said it was important to him for Lucius and I to marry." she said now glancing at her sister before turning those eyes back to Lucius.

"He ended up turning his wand and Nagini both onto Dolohov which is how he ended up with that mark. Voldemort protected me from his cruelty and told me to remember how he had been loyal to me in that moment. I kneeled before him and swore myself to him as well as my life savings for his cause and..."

she tried not to look away "our first born son."

before Lucius had a chance to react she touched his shoulder her eyes pleading with him to be kind after all she had been through for him.

"Please understand Lucius... this greatly pleased him. He dismissed me and I was able to leave setting our family into good standing with the Dark Lord's plans. If I hadn't ...after he protected me...he may have taken my life. I was thinking of our future and our security...all of ours." she breathed looking from Bella back to Lucius again.

Narcissa didn't see it coming. When she was struck hard by Lucius she fell to the floor reaching a hand up to feel her swollen cheek she turned her eyes on lucius trying to stay calm by steadying her breathing. She had done so much for him all for this? Focus narcissa. Everything depends on this man. You must convince him you're still worthy eve. After this. Remember what the dark lord told you. Don't anger him further.
She stared into lucius' eyes letting him see what the blow had done to her pretty face.
"I had nothing else to offer. I gave everything I had to a cruel man that I felt nothing for. I did this for YOU lucius. Please, be reasonable...I will protect him. With my life if,necessary. " she gave him a moment to consider while remaining on the floor she reached for his hand which held his wand slowly keeping her eyes on his.
"Please lucius..would you hit me like an animal? Am,I so worthless to the man I love?" There it was she admitted it and in the teeth of the situation after all she had been throufh it would be clear to anyone that narcissa was a brave woman who had been hurt and would sacrifice anything for lucius malfoy.
(Explaining her obsession over dracos wel being. and loyalry to herhusband until theend)

Narcissa knew the fight was over the moment her sister had come to her side. Whatever anyone said of Bellatrix being a mad woman it wasn't so with those closest to her especially when it came to her younger sister. Narcissa appreciated that from her and it would be the sole reason why she loved her so.
When she was pulled into her arms she touched her sister's arm not so much as in needing to be reassured but more so to keep her from advancing on that threat to Lucius.
"Thank you Bella, you're stronger then I am right now-"

She let Lucius finish his words not daring to move beneath his fleeting touch. That same hand had struck her a moment before and she thought of him now as a true snake. He could strike again and she wouldn't play the part to provoke that side of him.

"That'll soon change." she whispered to both of them. Lucius expected so much of her but Narcissa didn't have a choice in the matter. She was forced to do so much already, endear so much already but... there was always a price to pay for position and for power.

She slowly stood releasing her sister as she did so and met his eyes evenly. She had steadied her breathing and come to her senses. Her cheek stung. Her eyes didn't hold an ounce of love at that moment within them Lucius would likely catch the first glimpse of the future Narcissa Malfoy.

With her hands at her sides she held her head up and stared at him with a heated stare.
"If you ever hit me again Lucius I won't be the one falling to the floor. my sister won't need to come to my aide a second time. This is the body that will carry your son- the blood and promise you need for the future. Let that come to your mind the next time you think of striking it. Still-"

she locked her jaw, stepped forward and kissed him right on the lips her voice just a breath so only he may hear.

"I must apologize for my behaviour... You've received an awful impression of me. I'll have you know I don't need to wait for a man to kiss me on the lips. I'm not afraid to take action- if that's what you prefer. Remember who cares for you above all else. I'm doing what I can to earn your trust...don't break mine before I receive it."

she pulled back meeting his eyes just for a second longer before turning and going to her sister.

"I believe it's best that I retire for the evening Bella...I need to go wash my face. I can't go around all of Hogwarts looking like this tomorrow." she offered her a hand to get her to her feet a small smile of thanks still found across her lips.

"Fine. See that you do."

Lucius would turn and walk to his room with out another word.

||Getting swamped with threads, lets end this here ||

Narcissa would likewise turn and take her sisters hand.
"Come Bella let's go to bed now. This night is over."
(Sounds good)

(kk)