An Old Friend

Chapter Nine

Unfinished Business 

Eleanora's POV

Lucius immediately pulled us to the couch once we made it back to Severus' and my chambers. Pushing me to sit with my back against the armrest, Lucius sits right next to me and pulls my legs to rest over his lap. By now his entire demeanor has changed from easy going and light to more serious. Lucius starts to fiddle with his hands, a tell tell sign something is bothering him tremendously. I grab his pleasantly warm hands in mine, placing them in my lap. "Luce, what is bothering you?" I press for answers gently, needing to know what is bothering him but also trying to respect his boundaries.

"El, I'm just worried." He sighs, pausing for a moment. "I know you're feeling it too, something is different. We all know another war is coming, but I can't shake the feeling that this will be much worse." The weight of his worry settled on me quickly, nearly pulling the breath out of my lungs. He's right, something feels much more daunting compared to the last time the wizarding world turned to turmoil. I nod to let him know I understand exactly what he is feeling and also to urge him to continue. "I see the look in your eyes, El. I did not mean to burden you more with my worries, I know how much you already worry for Severus. I just- honestly you're one of the few people I can be open with." Understanding completely what he is trying to explain, I move myself up nearly sitting on his lap in order to pull him into the comforting embrace I know he needs right now.

We sit in silence for a few minutes with Lucius' head tucked into my shoulder, both of us lost in our own anxious thoughts. "Love, you should never feel like you are burdening me with your feelings. Something is different this time, Luci, I feel it too. However, I know nothing will be too much to handle because at the end of the day you, Severus, and I will do what we must to protect our loved ones. It is going to get rough, there is no escaping that, but just know Severus, you, and your family are my main concern and nothing will change that." Starting to feel fatigued from lunch I lay back against the armrest again, this time I pull Lucius with me so that his upper half is now laid against me. We sit wrapped in each other's warmth both pulling some much needed comfort from the other, until eventually Lucius falls asleep.

I lay still, running my fingers through his hair. Recognizing his need for rest, I do my best to keep from waking him, even though my back is beginning to stiffen up. Slowly I untangle myself from Lucius, and lay him against the armrest without waking him. Slipping my shoes off in order to move quieter, I make my way to our small kitchenette to make some tea. Severus must have stopped by my office during his lunch because all of my mail from the WWO is on our table. Deciding to distract myself from the overwhelming sense of dread both Luci and I are weighted down with I start responding to the never ending pile of letters.

The feeling of warm hands on my shoulders startles me out of my work. "You should've woken me up. How long have I been asleep?"

"Not too long, just an hour and a half. Sev should be here soon, if you'd like to wait for him."

"Hmm, I would love to surprise my little emo prince." My brows knit together in confusion and I turn to look up at him.

"Luci, I do not believe Severus would be very surprised to see that you are still here." However, I quickly realize what is on his mind when I look into his lust filled eyes. Lucius just chuckles darkly and reaches for my hand to pull me from my seat.

"Just follow me, my dear." Still attempting to catch my breath from the pure heat his eyes alone were showing, I did not immediately follow Lucius. The ever impatient and demanding man just turns and arches a brow telling me to get my ass moving before Severus isn't his sole target to torture tonight. Not wasting another second, I am up and trailing behind Lucius surrendering myself to whatever plan he is concocting in that intricate and dark mind of his.