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Behind Closed Doors	By : AnnaChase Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Narcissa Views: 5038 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Two: Of Fathers and Sons

In a raging war there is only so much time a leading soldier can take to enjoy being newlywed. The Dark Lord was rising higher than anyone could have expected and Lucius could count himself part of his inner ranks and most loyal Death Eaters. Needless to say: expectations were endless. Luckily he had equipped himself with a most tolerant wife, for Narcissa would not dream of demanding her husband’s time. She was ever patient and delighted in the moments given her. Six months they had been wed now. Six months in which she was only beginning to adjust to this new, responsible life.

With Lucius for a husband, she found herself wanting for nothing. To make up for his time away he spoiled her with exquisite jewels and perfumes and gave her free reign of the manor. The ancient victorian manor was beautiful with all its grandeur and Narcissa was quite in love with it. There was a certain satisfaction in being able to run one’s own household. Already she had started to make adjustments to apply her own touch to the house. Although the manor was well tended to by all the staff, it was obvious no woman had inhabited it for a long time. The drawing room was in dire need of refurnishing, and Narcissa had started out by hosting a few small dinner parties, hoping to organize her first grand ball in the summer.

While Lucius seemed pleased with her intentions to ascend the social position of the Malfoys, his father showed less obvious enthusiasm. Abraxas Malfoy inhabited the west wing of the manor, and kept to that most of the days. When not on one of his frequent hunting trips, he joined them in the dining hall for dinner. Such was the case tonight, and Narcissa felt a slight dread having to sit through dinner with her father-in-law. She was sad to say that her relationship with Lucius’s father was not becoming what she had hoped for. She had imagined that while Lucius was so often away on missions for the Dark Lord, perhaps she would enjoy the elder man’s company. Unfortunately Abraxas could hardly be described as likeable. The old man was aloof and rigid in perceptions. It was also obvious he was not very pleased by his son’s wife. While the ‘Noble and Most Ancient House of Black’ was a not a match he could have objected to, he made sure to let Narcissa know he found her too young and incapable for her position as Mrs Malfoy. To Narcissa it seemed his disapproving eyes followed her everywhere and, in a way, she was rather frightened.

“Good evening, Narcissa”, he greeted her as she entered the dining hall. Abraxas had already taken his seat at the head of the table.

“Good evening”, she responded as she joined him. “I’m afraid Lucius will not be joining us tonight. He’s still on the job”.

Dobby the house elf served them the first course and poured the wine with true diligence.

“Is he indeed” Abraxas mused in a tone that Narcissa did not wish to inquire after. She always felt terribly uncomfortable in the man’s presence, which was rather unlike her. In fact, she was normally quite the social butterfly.

“I do hope you keep yourself occupied without my son’s attentions?”.

“Oh, certainly. In fact, I have just today lent my name to another charity fund. It collects money for children suffering chronic consequences of the Dragon Pox. Lucius and I received an invite to their benefit dinner next week. “.

Abraxas merely nodded curtly as he focused on his soup, not in the least intent on pretending to be interested in what kept a young lady busy during the days.

“I would also like to plan something for Halloween”, Narcissa continued bravely. She would like to give at least the impression that she was fond enough of Lucius’s father to have a decent conversation with him. Even if he was barely responsive, she would not give up so easily. “Just a small party for some of Lucius’s closest friends and their wives. Would that be all right?”.

“You are mistress of this house now”, he merely stated. “That gives you, I suppose, the freedom to host as many parties as you like. But please, do not make it seem as if you value my opinion on the matter. You know very well I have no interest in such frivolities”.

With a slight frown, Narcissa concentrated on the food in front of her, allowing Dobby to serve the main course. Just as she wanted to reconsider her aim to converse with the man, he continued his rant of disapproval.

“And instead of wasting your time on children of others, perhaps you should concentrate on your own. Or, as I should say, the lack of them. I take it there is still no sign of an heir?”.

This brought an embarrassed flush to Narcissa’s face. Had she been more bold like her sister Bellatrix, she would have lashed out at the man’s rudeness.

“No… I’m afraid not” she responded instead, in a much quieter tone. “It hasn’t been that long” she suggested in her weak defense.

“Six months should be more than enough time for a young and healthy witch as yourself to conceive. May I remind you the House of Malfoy is in dire need of an heir? In this war it is more important than ever to secure our blood ties. Lucius is the only male Malfoy left after me and I hope you shall not make him regret marrying you”.

“I’m sure it won’t be long now”. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, and she did not dare look up; afraid to show how much his words got to her. She had begun to wonder herself, too, why she had not yet conceived. It couldn’t be the frequency of their intimacy; hardly a night went by without them trying.

They spent the rest of the meal in silence and, once it was finished, Narcissa was more than glad to be able to excuse herself to head upstairs. She attempted to read the latest edition of Witch Weekly that had just come out, but her mind kept drifting off to her father-in-law’s words. She decided she would ask Lucius if there was cause for concern. He was older and wiser, at least in her opinion. He would know what was necessary.
The evening passed and still there was no sign of Lucius. Midnight came, and by then Narcissa could not deny she was worried. She had stayed up to welcome her husband home, and seated herself by the fireplace in their bedchamber. Too anxious to do anything but worry, she was still dressed in the black chiffon gown she had worn for dinner. The dress appeared to make her look more mature than the seventeen summers she had seen, and it matched quite well with the new pearls around her neck: a gift from Lucius. Her hair was still up in an elegant chignon that illuminated her long neck. Nervously she ran her fingers over the necklace, appearing deep in thought. If something happened to Lucius she didn’t think she would be able to handle it. Even in this short period of marriage she had already become quite attached to him. She liked to think that she loved him, but she was young and naïve and had seen so little of life. Perhaps when they had struggled through the hardship that awaited them yet, and resurfaced together, then she would see if she loved him still.

Several times she stood up and paced the room, stopping to peer out of the window. It was a pitch black sky, no moon to be seen. Was Lucius still out there somewhere? Was he alone? Was he hurt? Her reverie was broken off when the flames in the fireplace suddenly turned blue: the sign someone was about to enter using Floo Powder.

“Lucius!” she exclaimed in delight, crossing the room in a heartbeat, and throwing herself in his embrace. The amount of relief she felt was a surprise, even to herself.

“Cissa, darling” he wrapped her up in his embrace, even so she had noted while she flung herself on him that he had winced in pain.

“Oh, I’ve been so concerned, Lucius. Are you hurt?” she allowed herself to glance up at his face, while she helped him out of his cloak and seated him on the leather sofa by the fire. It was obvious now that he was in pain, though trying to conceal it from her.

“It’s nothing. A curse backfired, somehow. There isn’t any visible damage” he responded as she seemed to study his body for blood or other signs of injury.

A curse. He had been cursed. Her eyes widened and locked on his as she sank down to her knees in front of him.

“What curse?”.

“The Cruciatus Curse”.

A shiver ran through her and she allowed her eyes to fall closed for a moment as she imagined the danger he had been in, dealing with Unforgivable Curses. Until now she had allowed herself to remain relatively ignorant of what exactly his jobs for the Dark Lord included. Of course, she knew the aim of the Death Eaters was to rid the Wizarding World of muggleborns. She had also figured out they would not reach this by a simple Bat-Bogey-Hex. But the Unforgivables were a different thing entirely.

“The Cruciatus Curse?” she whispered, the tone of her voice betraying the horrors she felt. “Are we in danger?”.

“No”, he quickly assured her. “Not now. Everything was solved, Cissa. I wish you had gone to sleep. You needn’t concern yourself with this business”.

“I cannot sleep when I don’t know you’re safe”.

Something seemed to soften in Lucius’s face, and he rewarded her with the hint of a smile. The fatigue on his face showed clearly now, making him look older than he really was.

“Lucius...” she reached up and ran her fingers across his cheek. She cared for him. Aside from his duties for the Dark Lord he had not given her any reason to be discontent with their match. So far he had always been kind to her. But even so she had seen hints of other sides of him as well. There had been times when he came home from the missions truly exhausted and on edge, unable to be as patient as his young wife needed to relax and enjoy their intimacies. He never did anything against her will, though, and during these moments she could only pity him. The strain put on him by both the Dark Lord and his father must be so much more serious than the stress she dealt with.

“Let me take care of you” she whispered.

Her words were met by a mere nod. Lucius seemed glad to end their conversation. She thought he, too, preferred her not to know too much of his occupations. But the time would come when ignorance was no longer an option.
She had ran him a hot bath and helped him undress and get into it. While there were indeed no visible signs of injury, it was obvious Lucius suffered from the aftermath of the curse. He even required her supporting him to get into the tub. Narcissa assisted him with quiet acceptance and seated herself on the edge of the tub while he bathed. Sweet scents of magnolia filled the air.

“I dined with your father tonight” she finally broke the silence, standing up to pour him a most welcome medicine: a glass of Ogden’s finest Firewhiskey.

“Ah yes, I thought you might. How was he?” Lucius accepted the glass gladly, but a frown fell upon his features as she mentioned his father. It seemed Narcissa was only beginning to realise the complicatedness of the relationship between father and son.

“He was... his usual self” she finally responded, the corner of her lips twisting towards a hint of a smile.

“I feared as much”.

“He seems to think there is something wrong with me”.

She could feel his eyes on her while she undressed and joined him in the hot water, seating herself in his lap. He appeared more relaxed now, forcing the dark thoughts of the evening towards the background. But instead, he had his young wife spilling her worries on him.

“What could possibly be wrong with you, my dear?” he held her to him, noting how she fitted perfectly in his embrace.

“He wondered... if there wasn’t any sign yet”. She needn’t explain herself further. The fact that he understood immediately, made her wonder if his father had shared his thoughts with him, too.

“Well, it hasn’t been that long yet, has it?”.

She could feel him hold onto her a little tighter, and she nodded in agreement. “That is what I said, too. But I suppose I could consult Healer Foxworth to make sure-“.

“No”, he quickly interrupted her, his hands now tightly holding onto her shoulders. If her back would not be to his chest, she would have feared the look upon his face. It was, if anything, one of despair.

“Lucius, you’re hurting me” she winced slightly at the change of atmosphere. He had never been like this before.

“No one but us has any business knowing what goes on in this household. Do you understand me, Narcissa? My father is a grumpy old fool, with too much time on his hands. You must not let him get to you”.

“Of course. I didn’t think there was anything particularly wrong...”.

It seemed he realised what he was doing then, and as quickly as his rage had come on, it disappeared.

“Forgive me, darling” he hushed her quietly, his arms circling her waist to embrace her dearly again. “I fear tonight has left me quite exhausted. I didn’t know what I was saying. I only meant there is no need for a Healer. I believe sometimes it simply takes a while. You’re very young, it takes some time for you to adjust to your new life here. A child will come, I am sure of that”.

“Yes, I believe so too” she replied, turning around to face him now, water splashing lightly over the edge of the tub. Gently, she kissed him. It was as if his outburst had never occurred, but she could not forget. There was a slight tremble in her hands when she replied to his embrace. She feared this war was starting to change her husband. She worried for him, and for the pair of them. This was after all only the first of many challenges they would face together. The world would become a darker place as the Dark Lord gained power, and what they had seen thus far was only the beginning.
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Behind Closed Doors

Chapter Two: Of Fathers and Sons