Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Yeah, remember how I said that I made the last chapter kinda long? It ended up not looking so long on Portkey so here is something to really satisfy you guys! (Hopefully) Again, major scissors to this chapter, but hopefully you guys still like it.

Chapter 23: Rescue and Reunion

Lily sighed contentedly. She was lying on the grass with James, watching big puffy clouds float overhead. James had one arm behind his head, the other was circled around Lily, his fingers tracing small circles on her back. His touch sent delicious tingles throughout her body and she snuggled closer to him.
"We can just stay like this forever, right?" she asked him.
"I wish we could, love." James sounded sad. Why should he be sad? Nothing was wrong with today.
"I love it here," Lily said.
"I know you do," James replied. "But you have to go back soon."
"Go where? I don't have to go anywhere," Lily said. James didn't reply to her but she felt his body tense slightly.
"Oh, can't we just stay here a while longer?" Lily begged. She really didn't want to go. "I don't like it there anymore." She looked to her left. A huge, dark, menacing black mist covered all the land to her left. She could just make out the silhouette of Hogwarts hidden in the midst of the gloom.
"Please, James, just a bit longer!" Lily turned back to him. His eyes left the clouds and found hers. She gave him her best pathetic puppy dog face, knowing he'd never resist her.
James sighed. "Just a bit longer," he said. Lily smiled and kissed his cheek, then nestled into his shoulder again. She looked out at the gleaming lake. The giant squid was floating dead on the water and all the tentacles had Lucius' face and they were reaching for her. It didn't matter. James was with her and nothing bad could ever touch her as long as she had James.
James could simply ask the squid to leave her alone. Couldn't it see they were happy? The squid's many legs shot out and wrapped themselves around her legs. It was dragging her toward the water, but it wasn't water anymore, it's had turned to blood. She didn't want to go in a lake full of blood, it would make her dirty.
Why didn't James help her? She turned and reached out for him but James was gone. Lily was alone. The squid was pulling harder, her legs were in the lake now. She scratched frantically at the ground but found only sand. It drifted through her fingers and left long welts marking her path.
She was into her waist now. Lily could feel the suction cups pulling on her skin, she was screaming but making no noise -

Malfoy had put a silencing charm on her. Even though it was over, he still didn't lift it. She didn't look at him as he put his clothes back on. She just huddled in a fetal position on the bed, buried her face in the pillow and tried not to cry any more. She was failing miserably.
Her entire body ached. She was covered in bruises and welts; he'd been very rough with her. She hated this feeling, this sickening sensation of being weak, being helpless. Without her wand and her strength, all she'd felt she had left was her dignity and now Malfoy had taken that too.
"Not bad for a Mudblood." His harsh tones cut through the mist in her mind like a razor. Lily lifted her head and stared reproachfully into Malfoy's face. He smirked at her.
"Aww, don't feel bad, Evans. You're not the best I ever had, but you sure do taste good." He grabbed her head and licked his tongue up the side of her face while she squirmed beneath him.
Lily wrenched herself out of his grasp while he chuckled softly. It was a vile sound. Lily wanted to attack him, to hurt him, yet she knew he'd take her again before she could land a single punch. Her ribs were digging into her lungs. Everything hurt so bad. She scooted up against the bed post and curled into a ball. You got what you wanted, you sick freak, now go away.
"Look at the poor baby Evans," he mocked. "Oh so sad! Let's put you out of your misery, shall we?"
Lily looked up in fear. Malfoy had pulled out his wand.
"You honestly didn't think I'd leave you to tattle on me, did you?"
Lily's crouching form was swallowed up in Lucius Malfoy's shadow as he advanced on her for the last time.

**********

James spun his head around. He could have sworn he heard someone call his name, but no one was there. He and Peter were making their way to Dumbledore's office when he'd heard the voice. It had sounded just like--
"Lily," James whispered. How many things can go wrong in one day?
He quickly changed direction and bolted toward the hospital wing.
"James!" Peter yelled. "Oi, JAMES!" James kept running. Something was horribly wrong and he had the sinking sensation it was too late.

**************

Peter watched James run off. Whatever. The fate of Lily Evans meant nothing to him. He glanced around; there was no one. Slowly, he turned back into the rat form that he was actually more comfortable in. The fat fur ball scuttled off into the shadows, silent as a whisper. He had things to do.

**************

Lily shrank back against the bed as Lucius advanced on her. She had no hope of getting away without her wand, they both knew it. His eyes twinkled; the sick pervert was enjoying the thought of having enough power to end her life.
The tip of Malfoy's wand began to glow with a fierce light as it moved closer to her face.. Lily closed her eyes, surrendering. Giving herself over to the inevitability of death. . .
To a Malfoy?! Her sister's voice suddenly rang in her mind, taunting her.
Some witch you turned out to be. What good are you if you can't even save yourself?
Lily's eyes opened, their color suddenly fierce and strong. Before Malfoy could blink, she had reached out and grasped his wand wrist with a strength she didn't know she had. Lily forced the wand away from herself, her other hand reached out and clawed at Malfoy's face. Using her nails, she left deep scratches across his aristocratic features. Lucius grabbed her wrist and slammed her back onto the bed. Lily used the last of her strength and brought her knee up and into him. Malfoy released her, doubled over and groaned in pain. Lily rolled out from under him and hit the floor, crawling under the bed.
Her muscles were screaming with pain. Black spots were bursting in front of her eyes; she was about to pass out. She saw Malfoy's expensive shoes hit the floor, and then she saw his knees, his thighs, his lower torso. Finally his bleeding face appeared, peering under the bed. Lily slammed his nose with the heel of her palm and heard a satisfying crunch under her hand. Malfoy shrieked but managed to reach in and grab her arm. He yanked her from under the bed and brought her to her knees before him.
"How dare you!" he snarled at her. " Do you have any idea what I could do to you for this?"
Lily raised her eyes to his face. "What else can you do that you haven't already done?" she mouthed at him, still unable to speak.
Lucius roared in rage, he tossed her to the floor and raised his wand.
"Crucio!" Lily had never felt pain like this. Her skin was being pierced by a thousand tiny needles, yet there were monsters tearing at her insides, pulling her apart piece by piece. She wanted to cry and scream for James, Sirius, anybody, but she couldn't do anything but scream soundlessly, trapped inside a soundproof glass cage no one could feel or see.
There was a burst of bright white light accompanied by a low rumbling sound. The very floor shook beneath her. Suddenly the pain was gone. Gasping for breath, Lily opened her eyes to see James sprint through the broken hangings that had been the entryway doors. He sent a jet of fire out of his wand towards Lucius, who ducked and spun away.
Lily couldn't hear what they were saying, there was a loud ringing in her ears that would not fade. Lucius sent a flare of green light hurtling towards James; it was the Avada Kedavra--Lily tried to cry out but could not-- but a hand reached out and pulled James out of the way. The killing curse hit the stone wall, leaving a large scorch mark. Lucius screamed in fury and looked to see who had pulled James out of the way.
Sirius.
Sirius stood by James, his own wand out, eyes blaring. James looked at him briefly; Sirius nodded and pushed James slightly forward. James grinned and turned to face Malfoy.
It was two on one. No matter. Lucius could take on two silly Gryffindors.
James and Sirius walked farther into the room, wands at dueling position. Malfoy raised his own wand, ready for the fight.
Black spots were still dancing in front of Lily's eyes, the world was tilting in crazy directions, but she did her best to keep her eyes open. Those were her boys fighting for her, she had to stay awake for them. She could hear Madame Pomfrey pounding on the door that held her captive, but she was still trapped behind the chains. She could do nothing.
Two more figures appeared in the doorway. Lily almost smiled. Her havoc wreaking twins had come to play. Autumn and Spike took their positions on either side of Sirius and James and pulled out their own wands.
Lucius backed against the wall. Two on one was one thing, but four. . .
He made up his mind instantly. Blue circles of fire were sent spinning to the floor, sending shockwaves throughout the room. The floor and walls shook as in an earthquake, the four Gryffindors were jolted off their feet. Lucius darted through them and fled out the door.
The second he left the room, the shaking ceased. All took deep breaths of relief; Malfoy was stronger than they had believed. Autumn turned to Lily, saw her trying to speak. Autumn raised her wand. "Finite."
Lily's screams echoed through the cavernous room, bouncing off the stone walls and traveling back to them. James ran to her and knelt by her side. He hesitated; she was hurt in so many places he was afraid to touch her.
"Lily. . . oh god Lily. . ." James felt helpless. He didn't know what to do for her. A tap on his shoulder, Spike had unfastened his cloak and was holding it out to James. James took it and gently draped it across Lily, who was shivering on the cold floor, her breath hitching with sobs.
"Shhhh, love it's all right," he soothed her. "I'm here, Sirius is here, the twins are here and we won't let him near you again. Everything's all right. . . "
James lifted Lily into his arms. He tried his very best to be careful, but she still cried out when he touched her. James carried her to the nearest bed, aware of Sirius on his heels.
Sirius pulled back the bedcovers and James lay Lily down, slowly, carefully. There was a hissing sound. Autumn and Spike were melting the chain links that barred Madam Pomfrey from the room. Turning back to Lily, he brushed her hair back and dabbed at the blood trickling down her cheek. Lily's body involuntarily twitched when she felt James brush her face.
It's James, It's just James, he won't hurt you. . . Lily couldn't help it, she burst into silent tears and buried her face in her hands.
James felt himself melt, he wanted to help her but she had closed herself off to him. Sirius was standing over his shoulder. James looked at him and saw his own despair mirrored in his friend's face. Their eyes met and a thousand unspoken thoughts passed between them.
"My God!" Madam Pomfrey arrived panting at Lily's bedside and stopped in horror when she saw the girl's condition. "Out. All of you, out!"
James and Sirius both opened their mouths in protest, but Autumn cut them off.
"Guys," she said sharply. She turned to her friend Lily and gently knelt down until she was level with the other girl's face. "We'll be right back, Lil'," she said as she touched Lily's hand. "We promise." Lily nodded, tears leaking out from her tightly closed eyes. Autumn squeezed her hand, then stood. She walked toward the shattered doors, the three boys behind her. James and Sirius both paused, not wanting to leave Lily like this.
"She'll be all right." Autumn spoke quietly.
"That's what we thought last time," James said. He turned and met Autumn's eyes. She gazed back, then nodded.
"Then we'll wait here in the hall," she said. Spike grunted in agreement and fingered his wand. Sirius took James' arm.
"C'mon, Prongs," he said softly.
"How did you know?" James whispered.
Sirius looked at him for a long moment. "How did you?"
James blinked back tears, then pulled his best friend into a fierce hug. Sirius hugged him back, their friendship restored by the same reason it had broken: Lily.

*****************

Severus had Bellatrix by the arm and was gently guiding her back to the Slytherin common room. They stepped through the door and were in the narrow hallway when Bellatrix blinked several times. Severus stopped, weary, and saw her eyes come back into focus.
"So much for that," Severus muttered.
"What--how--" Bellatrix looked around her, then her eyes narrowed and she sucked in her breath in a venomous hiss. "Lucius." She was shaking. "That sleazy son of a -"
"Now Bella," Severus started. "This does us no good at all."
"HE CURSED ME!" Her whispering was almost as effective as if she had screamed. Severus backed into the wall. Trapped in a narrow hall with a very angry Bellatrix Black was not a good place to be.
"That little... ooo, I'll kill him for this! How long has it been?" she demanded, wheeling around to Snape.
"Hours," he said quietly. "I think he went to finish what he started."
Bellatrix's eyes widened. "He's out of his mind," she stated flatly. "He thinks he can get away with anything because he's the Master's favorite. You watch," she said, pointing a shaking finger at Severus, "he'll ruin all the Master's plans because of his lust for a filthy Mudblood and we'll all end up in Azkaban for it." She seemed afraid and Severus knew why. If Evans lived, she would tell Dumbledore of her ordeal. They themselves would be incriminated because of their association with Lucius. The only way out of this was for Lucius to kill Evans after he had his way with her. Unfortunately, another obvious murder at Hogwarts was not what the Dark Lord had in mind. Lucius was risking an awful lot to satisfy his greed.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. He and Bellatrix turned and saw Calista heading for the doorway.
"Going somewhere?" Bellatrix asked.
"Obviously," Calista said vaguely. Her mind was elsewhere. Severus looked at her sharply: her feet were bare, her clothes were rumpled, her eyes red and bloodshot. She didn't look at either of her classmates. She just left, out the door without another word.
"She'll crack," Bellatrix said.
"She won't," Severus replied softly. She better not. She's mine now, and she had better remember that.

******************************

Calista slowed her pace once she was out of the castle. The moonlight night showed the ruins of the greenhouse, pieces of glass twinkling in the light tiny stars. She walked mindlessly, heedless of the shards cutting her feet.
She thought of Narcissa, of the conversation they'd had. Bellatrix and Lucius would be furious with her if they knew she had said the things she had said. Narcissa had obviously gone to great lengths to reach out to Calista, the question was, why? So she could kill herself?!
The knife sat in its box between the mattress and box spring of Calista's bed. She thought of it now, its smooth handle cold in her hand. She imagined bringing the glistening blade down into her flesh, just as she had done to the Brown girl--
Calista jerked convulsively. Don't think about that. her mind ordered harshly. She agreed with herself, her mind had dwelt on that long enough for today.
She felt bad about the incident, but in all honesty did not miss the girl at all. She had never liked Sara Brown. So that makes killing her all right, then? Calista caught herself, horrified. My god, she was making excuses for committing murder! Is this who she really was?
Her mind drifted again. She had ignored the plight of Lily Evans because of her jealousy towards the other girl. Then, the murder of Sara Brown, receiving the Dark Mark, letting Severus take her like he had-- bile rose instantly in her throat. She was nearly sick where she stood.
A monster. She was a monster. No. . . she was much worse. She was just like them.
She finally looked up from the ground. Her feet had carried her all the way here, past the school gates, down the beaten path to Hogsmede, up the hill to this place. The Shrieking Shack.
She stood silently, gazing at the front door. Remus was in there. No, a werewolf was in there. How tempting it suddenly seemed, to go in and let the one she loved finish her pain for her.
Loved? Her mind twitched and focused on that word. It simply wasn't possible. Calista had never loved anyone or anything in her life, how could she harbor feeling towards a werewolf?!
Narcissa's admonitions came back to haunt her. Loving would only give them cause to hurt her. Even if it was true, even if she did love Remus, she could do nothing. His life would be over, and his was the one life she couldn't bring herself to end.
The front door creaked open. Calista dove behind the nearest bush and held her breath. A tall, shadowy figure strolled past her and her first thought was of the Master. Sweat beaded on her forehead, she couldn't deal with the Master. Not now.
It was Dumbledore. She saw him pause at the bottom of the hill and turn his face slightly, as though he'd heard something. Calista was sure she was turning blue from holding her breath for so long, but she didn't dare release it. She'd pass out first before she let Dumbledore find her here.
Leave. Leave already! Dumbledore stayed very still for a moment longer, then turned and walked down the path and out of sight.
Calista puffed out her cheeks and blew out the breath she'd been holding.
Cautiously, she stood and stepped back onto the path. She walked up to the front door of the Shrieking Shack and tried the handle. Locked. Of course it was, that was a dangerous werewolf in there.
She gazed at the locked door. Go back her mind told her. Yes, go back, it was for the best. She turned to go.
There was a click and the door slowly swung open of its own accord. Calista turned back and stared distrustfully at the open entryway. The door hung silent, inviting her to enter.
There was no light coming from the house; all seemed quiet inside. Calista reached the threshold and peered in. No sign of Remus anywhere.
Don't tempt fate, girl! Go back now, before it's too late.
"It's already too late," Calista whispered to herself. Taking a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold and into the darkness of the Shrieking Shack.
The door swung shut behind her, all by itself. She heard the lock click back into place. She took a few cautious steps further into the room. It was pitch black. The windows were covered with thick sheets of waxed paper, omitting all light from entering.
She bumped into something hard-- "Ouch!" --- a chair, by the feel of it. Her eyes began to adjust to the darkness and she could make out large shapes in the shadows.
A candle flickered into life before her. It was placed on a rickety old table that had chunks missing from its legs. Chunks that had been taken out by large, razor sharp teeth. Calista, you are a complete idiot.
She picked up the large candle and held it before her in both hands. She walked as silently as she could, the floorboards squeaking occasionally under her feet. She walked past dirty walls that were gouged with claw marks, past tumbles of broken furniture. Her feet were now covered in dust and had acquired a few splinters which added to the sprinkles of blood already there. They ached horribly, in addition to being very cold.
Calista realized how mental she must be. Here she was, in an abandoned house with a werewolf somewhere in here, dressed in nothing but her school skirt and shirtsleeves. No cloak, no stockings, no shoes. She was mad.
Mad as a hatter, her mind giggled crazily.
"Oh, great, don't you go nuts on me too," she muttered to her brain. Calista stopped and rolled her eyes. "I'm actually talking to myself. Bring on the men in white coats! St. Mungo's, here I come."
The sound of her voice gave her some comfort in the gloom of the old house. She tiptoed up a long flight of stairs. There was a door there, splintered from something inside that had tried to get out. She listened desperately, there was apparently nothing moving in there.
One white, shaking hand reached out and gently pushed at the door. It was not locked and creaked open slowly. She saw a large four-poster bed, the hanging ripped and torn like sails on a ghost ship. The sheets were dusty and wrinkled. There was a large shape lying next to the bed. Its chest heaved in and out with lumbersome breaths.
Calista sucked in a quiet breath. The thick fur coat glistened in the candlelight; its features were not harsh and primitive, but distinguished. Soft. Remus as a werewolf had a beauty that was hidden while in his human form.
A thick silence fell on Calista, she realized the deep, harsh breaths of the wolf had stopped. She looked, and saw its eyes were open and staring at her. Calista looked straight into the heart of the wolf. Her trembling stopped; that was Remus in there. She could see him in the wolf's eyes. He wouldn't harm her.
Her movements very slow, she placed the candle on the bedside cabinet and knelt down. The wolf didn't move, it just followed her with its gleaming eyes.
She reached out cautiously and ran her fingers through his thick coat. It was soft under her fingers. She looked at the werewolf, Remus looked back. He made no move to hurt her, indeed her didn't move at all.
Calista slowly stretched out until she was lying next to him. She placed her head down next to his and gazed into his eyes. This was Remus, yes, but stronger than the man, more confident. But still Remus. She slowly stroked the fur around his eyes and forehead until his eyes closed lazily again and the deep breathing returned. Calista felt her own eyes heavy with sleep. There was too much out there, but here in this place, what did it matter? It didn't matter here that she was a monster and a murderer. She was lying here with a monster too.
Calista felt more at home, lying here with the huge beast in her arms, than she had felt in a long time. And that was how sleep found her, monster comforted by monster, if only for a little while.

* * *

Sunlight was streaming through thin cracks in the waxed paper covering the windows. It illuminated the tiny dust bunnies dancing in the thick air of the Shrieking Shack. Calista smiled at the sight. It was peaceful here, and on this hard wooden floor she'd had one of the best sleeps of her life.
Sometime in the night she had turned in her sleep, and morning had found her pressed against Remus Lupin, his arms wrapped around her and his face buried in her hair. Calista didn't dare move, for fear she would find this all a dream.
Remus moaned and shifted in his sleep. Calista very slowly turned in his arms to look at his face. He looked so innocent sleeping. There was no wolf there now, just sweet Remus. Her eyes trailed over his face, his slender neck, his shoulders. She blushed when she realized he was naked-- of course. Transforming ruins his clothes and that's why they're always patched like they are. he has to fix them every month. Sometimes the obvious escapes even the most careful of observers.
Calista reached up and pulled the ragged, thin blanket off the bed and wrapped it around herself and Remus. She snuggled back into his arms, willing to ignore the call of the outside world just for a little longer.
Remus stirred and his eyes slowly opened. They were still hazed with sleep, giving Calista a moment to admire them before reality suddenly slammed into her like a ton of bricks. How in the name of Merlin do I explain this?
In her blissful state of mind, she had forgotten that she wasn't supposed to be here. Remus would likely freak out and demand explanations she wasn't sure she could give.
Calista held her breath as she watched the awareness creep back into Remus' eyes. He focused on the girl lying in his arms and Calista stared back, suddenly afraid. What would he do to her, now that he knew she had invaded his sanctuary?
Remus said nothing, so neither did Calista. They just stared at each other for the longest time, speaking only with their eyes. Finally, Remus removed his arms from around her waist, only to reach out and stroke her face. He didn't demand answers, he didn't tell her to leave, he didn't even speak. He just ran his fingers over her features, soft and slow.
Calista thought her heart would stop. It couldn't be. . . Yet here they were, two outcasts from different worlds, together only for a little while, but still together. She had envisioned this moment, denying those fantasies even to herself, for so long. They slowly lifted their faces to each other. Light and comfort found them and eased their troubled hearts as they kissed and kissed and touched and kissed. . .

***********

James was having major deja vu. Here he was, once again sitting on the cold stone floor outside the hospital wing. Except this time, Remus wasn't here, Sirius, Autumn, and Spike were here, it was sunrise, and Sara wasn't dead.
Autumn and Spike were leaning against the wall. Autumn was fiddling with the hem of her cloak and Spike was twirling his wand in his fingers. Sirius paced back and forth, back and forth, the same 6 feet over and over. No one had said a word since leaving the hospital wing and the tension lay like a thick fog over them. They were once again waiting in agony over the fate of Lily Evans. Dear sweet Lily, who had suffered so much in 48 hours and never deserved it. . .
Sirius stopped in his tracks as Dumbledore strode around the corner and moved towards the ripped doors. The twins straightened their posture, but James just sat. . . staring at nothing.
"Don't you ever sleep?" James asked his Headmaster.
"Funny, Mr. Potter, I was going to ask you the same question." James raised his eyes and saw Dumbledore giving him his patented raised eyebrow. James sniffed and gave a tiny crooked smile.
"All will be well," Dumbledore assured him. "All will be well."
"Everyone's been saying that a lot recently and its bullshit!" Sirius' voice was harsh. "Lily attacked, Sara murdered and me lost in the stupid forest--"
"What?" James looked quickly at Sirius.
"Long story," Sirius said quickly. "Then, Lily attacked again--"
"Peter attacked," James cut in.
"What?" This time it was Sirius who turned to James in surprise.
"Long story," James said. Sirius returned to his rant.
"So, explain to me how all will be well, because I sure as hell don't understand this! Aren't you supposed to be this great wizard? You're here to keep us safe, aren't you? How could you let this happen?" Sirius was yelling, forgetting this was Dumbledore he was ranting at.
Dumbledore just stood there, letting him rant. The twins stood open-mouthed, having never seen anyone talk to the Headmaster like that. Good for you, Padfoot. Rant if you can, James thought. James didn't feel like ranting, or complaining, or doing much of anything outside of wait for Lily.
"Prongs, say something! Back me up here!" Sirius whirled to James. How can he just sit there?! He loves Lily so why isn't he angry?
James just stared at the ground, not knowing everyone was looking at him.
There had been too much in far too short a time, and his mind seemed to have shut off. Sirius looked back and forth between James and Dumbledore, worry growing on his face. Dumbledore too was giving James a concerned look.
It was that exact moment Madam Pomfrey appeared in the doorway.

******************************

"What do you mean, he knows?!" Lucius snarled.
"I-I m-m-m-mean, he knows-s," Peter stammered. Lucius had him by the collar of his robes and was shaking him in his fury. Lucius shoved Peter away from him and ran a hand through his messed up hair. His face was still streaked with blood from where the Mudblood had scratched him. The open wounds burned like splinters under fingernails, and Lucius clenched his jaw
in annoyance.
"Fine," he said through his teeth. "I'll take care of the werewolf. Leave me." He flapped his hand at Peter, who scrambled off. He'd done his duty, it was time to go hide now.
Lucius stormed into the almost deserted Slytherin common room. It was occupied by the very people he least wanted to see, yet they were the same ones he needed most at the moment. Irony was a bitch.
"I never figured you for the rough and tumble type Lucius." Bellatrix quirked an eyebrow at his face.
"Shut up, Bella." He sat next to Severus in a huff and sank into the soft leather sofa, resting his forehead in his hands. "Where are Rabastan and Rodolphus?"
"Looking for Calista," Severus said softly. Lucius looked at Severus out of the corner of his eyes, silently ordering him to continue.
"She left hours ago and hasn't come back yet. Where have you been all this time, anyway?"
"Having fun," Lucius smirked.
"Are you telling me," Bellatrix hissed, "that after I warned you not to 'screw' with the Mudblood you went ahead and did it ANYWAY?!"
"Relax, Bellatrix, the fate of the world does not depend upon who I --"
"Maybe not, but the fate of inheriting the Black family fortune sure as hell does! We both know your family is ruined, all you have left is your so-called 'good name'. Without my sister, you are nothing. Nothing!" Bellatrix was white with fury. Her eyes glared at him, silently punishing him for his stupidity. Lucius smiled a slow, devious grin.
"You honestly think I haven't arranged all that already?"
Mild confusion crossed Bellatrix's face. "What--"
"I have already conquered the Narcissa issue. Her future with me is no longer a choice. Your parents and I signed the necessary papers long ago." Lucius imitated Bellatrix's earlier look. "Didn't your sister tell you?"
Bellatrix's jaw dropped and she stared at Lucius in complete shock. Severus looked warily between the two. This had the capability to get extremely ugly.
To the surprise of both men, Bella's face relaxed into a warm smile.
"Good."