June 15, 1973
"Lucius," Druella Black said softly as she approached her son-in-law at the Ministry of Magic.
"Druella," Lucius nodded politely as he walked toward Minister Fudge's office. "What brings you to the Ministry?"
"Not that it should matter to you," Druella said a bit coldly. "But Narcissa insisted I come tell you—especially with Abraxas and her Father on the way."
Lucius immediately came to a halt and roughly pulled his mother-in-law to an alcove on the side where they would have some privacy. "Anything involving my wife matters to me," Lucius said darkly, releasing her from his grasp. "Now what is going on?"
Druella glared, smoothing out the wrinkle in her sleeve where his hand had been. "She's lost the child," she bowed her head for a brief moment. "It was a boy."
Lucius stared at her in shock for a moment before clearing his throat. "H-how is she?"
"Distraught," Druella replied simply. "It's going to get worse though once the patriarchs of the family show up."
Lucius nodded. "I'll be there as soon as I reschedule with Fudge."
"Make it quick, Lucius," Druella said softly, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Dealing with one angry man over this is distressing enough..."
Lucius studied his mother-in-law for a moment. He's mostly known Druella has a cold and haughty woman that plays the dutiful wife; now, though, she just seemed just a bit reserved; as if she even allowed one tear to escape she would completely break apart. He placed a grateful hand on her shoulder then went to Fudge's office.
The moment he left Fudge's office, he quickly went to the nearest fireplace that connected to Floo network and stated his mansion. He ducked under the mantle as he stepped out, glancing at Cygnus and Abraxas. "Took you long enough, Lucius," Cygnus grumbled.
"I had to make arrangements, Cygnus," Lucius replied curtly, passing by the two patriarchs.
"Where do you think you're going?" Abraxas demanded as Lucius continued toward the door.
"Maybe it's beyond your notice, Father," Lucius replied tensely. "But my wife went through an ordeal."
"You don't need to see her," Cygnus grunted. "This is women's business. Nothing for us men."
"Considering that was supposed to be my son and heir," Lucius snarled, his piercing grey eyes going between the fathers. "I disagree. My wife shouldn't be going through this alone."
"We've already destroyed it," Abraxas growled, his gaze meeting Lucius's evenly. "Druella brought us the box and we destroyed the remains so it wouldn't become a botchling."
Lucius stood frozen for a moment. "You dare—"
"It's dead, Lucius!" Abraxas snapped. "I did what everyone must do the moment you see the dead things: destroy them. They no longer matter to the family; they no longer matter to you... they never did!"
"Gentlemen, please," Druella spoke, glaring at the men. "We've got enough on our plates."
Lucius snorted in disgust, turning to speak to his mother-in-law. "How is she?"
"Physically, she'll recover," Druella murmured, keeping a wary eye on her husband. "Emotionally... distraught. I had to sedate her when I got back."
"Can I see her?"
She glared at her husband briefly, then looked back at Lucius. "Don't be hard on her."
Lucius wasn't sure how to respond to that, but gave a simple nod in acknowledgement. He then apparated to the door of his bed chamber, turning the knob slowly. When he opened the door, a lump caught in his throat. His wife lay on her side on the bed, her hands stained with blood. Her head resting just before the pillow, her hair disheveled; she seemed paler to him— probably from what he presumed was blood loss. He crossed the room and slowly sat on the bed. He put his hand on hers, and she stirred. He then pulled her body against his, cradling her body.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly began rocking her; caressing her face. "I'm sorry, my Flower," he murmured softly, a tear escaping from his eye and sliding down into her brunette strands.
He didn't know how long he remained that way— he thought maybe it was a few hours— before Narcissa stirred. "Lucius?" Her voice croaked.
"I'm here, 'Cissa," he whispered, looking down at her tear filled eyes. "Druella told me."
A sob escaped her throat as she buried her face into his chest. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...I-I don't know what I did—"
"You did nothing wrong," he said firmly, rubbing her back as she once again started to cry. "You did nothing wrong... these things happen."
"You sound like you know from experience," Druella spoke, causing the couple to look up in surprise.
"My mother suffered a couple of them," Lucius admitted, adjusting his grip a bit to make Narcissa more comfortable. "Before having my sisters."
"I see," Druella replied, crossing the room and sitting at the edge of the bed; placing her hand on Narcissa's in a comforting gesture; waving her wand and closing the door to the chamber. "Then you understand why what I reveal must be kept in the strictest confidence?"
"What?" Lucius frowned.
"They didn't destroy the remains," Druella said softly, kneeling down to pull a shoebox out from under the bed. "They only believe they did. They don't want to become attached to a 'could have been' situation; they don't want to dwell. They just want to move on. I learned after the first time to always keep a spare shoebox around to use as a decoy. Did you have a name in mind?"
"Leo..." Narcissa mumbled, burying her face once again into Lucius's shoulder. "For the Lion constellation."
"Good name," Druella nodded approvingly. "Especially for the first born."
A sob escaped Narcissa's throat again and Lucius held her tightly. "What exactly do you want us to do?"
"Give him a proper burial," Druella said softly. "Botchlings appear only if the child is unwanted... clearly he was wanted; but, you still should give him a proper burial... for your sake. It'll bring some peace."
Lucius nodded, continuing to rub her back as her sobs subsided. "We will," he murmured, relaxing his grip as he realized she had fallen asleep again.
"She's exhausted," Druella murmured, sliding the shoebox back under the bed. "She'll probably sleep for awhile." She glanced at the door for a moment as Lucius gently laid Narcissa beside him. "Tell me, Lucius, how many chances are you planning on giving Narcissa before you abandon her?"
"As many as she needs," Lucius replied curtly. "Maybe you didn't hear the last part of our vows, but I did say 'til death do us part.'"
"So did many other husbands," Druella replied scathingly. "That didn't stop them from breaking nearly all of their vows."
"I intend to be a different kind of husband," Lucius replied evenly, meeting her eye with his steely grey ones. "One that tries to understand their wife."
Druella scoffed. "I've heard that one before..." she then sighed before turning back to Lucius. "Look—"
"Druella," Lucius stated firmly. "I'm not leaving Your daughter. I don't care how long it takes, when she's ready to try again, we will; but not before. Both of us know and appreciate the rare love we share... and I wouldn't change it for anything."
"Even if she can't bear you an heir?"
"Yes," he said tersely, meeting her gaze evenly.
"Good," she whispered, walking out of the room.
A/N: the rest of this can be found if you're a member on A03.
