Fatal Affair

Chapter 2: The Deal

Nova knocked on Lucius's office door before being told to enter. She walked into his office for the first time, noticing the scattered books and papers. A beige globe sat in one corner of his office, surrounded by book shelves. Lucius sat behind an impressive-looking oak desk, notes covering the surface. It was clear, by the state of his office, that he wasn't an organized man. 

"You asked to see me." Nova recalled the rat-looking man who told her Lucius wanted to speak with her. 

"Yes, Miss Harrison. Won't you sit down?" Lucius gave a half smile, leaning back in his chair. 

Nova sat hesitantly, knowing whatever Lucius wanted couldn't be good. 

"I've been thinking." Lucius suddenly stood from his desk and started walking around it. "You are about Draco's age, are you not?" 

"No," Nova answered. "I'm 20." 

"Twenty?" Lucius stopped short of Nova, malice flickered in his gaze. "What a fun age." 

"Mr Malfoy-" 

"Call me Lucius." 

"Mr Malfoy, I am quite busy, is there something I can help you with?" 

"You're a stubborn thing, aren't you?" Lucius questioned. Before waiting for an answer, he went on, continuing his pace around the office. "You are near Draco's age. Could you try to befriend him for me? Maybe keep him close, see how he's doing with this... job he's been assigned." 

"Why don't you just ask him?" Nova offered. Lucius was now somewhere behind Nova. 

"He won't talk to me." Lucius appeared to her left, gazing at Nova intensely. "You know how it is, father son relationships." Lucius's eyes travelled up and down Nova slowly. "You can get him to trust you, I'm sure." 

"And if I say no?" Nova asked.

Lucius bent lower towards Nova, his blond hair falling over his shoulders, the head of his cane - which was a serpent - held tightly in his hand. "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse." Lucius tucked a strand of Nova's dark hair behind her ear. Their eyes lingered on each other for a long moment. She couldn't deny that he was attractive, but she tried to push away this thought.

"What would that offer be?" Nova said under her breath. 

Lucius stood up straight. "Your choice. Whatever you want, with some conditions." 

Nova considered this for a moment. "He'll be in school. How would I even speak to him?" 

"When he comes home, you will befriend him. It is that simple." 

"And if I fail to gain his trust?" 

Once again, Lucius looked Nova up and down. "You won't." 

After a few seconds of thinking, Nova leaned back into her chair and commanded herself to relax. "I'll consider it." She crossed her arms over her chest. 

Lucius sat back down in his office chair, his eyes were searching her face. "You and Severus..." 

"What about me and Severus?" 

"You two appear close." 

"Maybe we are." 

"I wouldn't want to overstep." Lucius peered at Nova, his eyes appearing as slits. 

"I don't know what you mean, Mr Malfoy." 

Lucius opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it. There was a knock at his door, then a squeak as it opened. Nova looked over her shoulder to see who had interrupted. 

Narcissa walked into the office, eyes resting on Nova longer than normal. 

"I apologize," Narcissa said, suspicious eyes darting to her husband. "I didn't know you were in a meeting." 

"I was just leaving." Nova stood from her chair, eager to return to her chambers. 

Nova left in a hurry. On her way to her room, she passed Draco, sitting on a couch with his head in his hands. A suitcase and bag sat on the floor near him. He looked up as Nova approached.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "Thought you were my mother." 

"Are you leaving for school?" Nova asked. 

"Tomorrow." Draco stared at his hands, dark circles appearing under his eyes. 

Nova decided to linger, gauging how difficult it would be to win his trust. 

"Are you excited to go back?" she asked. 

Draco took a moment to look at her curiously. She had barely spoken a word to the boy since her arrival a month ago. However, she barely spoke a word to anybody other than Severus. "No," he answered. 

"Sometimes I miss going to school." Nova took a seat beside Draco, unsure of what to say. He clearly wasn't in a talking mood. "I know there's a lot of pressure on you this year. If you ever need someone to vent to, I'm your girl." She offered him a weak smile. 

"Just, get lost." Draco looked away from Nova. 

"You don't have to be a dick, you know," Nova whispered. "We all have to do things we don't want to." 

"Why are you pretending to understand?" Draco turned his attention back to Nova. 

This was going to be harder than she thought. "I'm not," Nova said. "I'm trying to be nice, something you and your dad are incapable of." 

"Don't speak about my father," Draco hissed. 

Nova rolled her eyes and got up to leave. 

"It's not fair," Draco said, barely above a whisper. Nova had to strain her ears to listen. "Why me?" 

Nova considered him for a moment. "Do you know how you're going to do it?" 

Draco said nothing.  

"No one said it would be fair," Nova offered. "But you're not alone, you know." 

"Like hell I'm not." 

"You can ask Severus for help." 

Draco looked away, clearly done with the conversation.

Nova sighed and turned to leave, silently accepting Lucius's deal, pondering over what she would ask of him in return.