Fatal Affair

Chapter 3: A Lost Boy

Nova sat cross-legged on Severus's bed while he paced in front of her, deep in thought. Nova had just told him about her conversation with Lucius. 

"And you accepted?" Severus paused from his pacing to look at her. 

"I will," Nova answered. "Should be easy enough. Then Lucius will owe me one." 

"Lucius 'owing you one' usually comes with strings attached." 

"I'll deal with that when the time comes," Nova mumbled. A solemn silence stretched between them. "So you're leaving tomorrow?" 

"I'll be back." Severus leaned against the dresser. 

Nova bit her lip, a nervous habit of hers. She would never admit her fear of being left here without Severus's protection, but the worry was eating away at her. "When?" 

"Soon." Severus closed his eyes for a moment. "The Dark Lord won't let me leave for too long without giving him intel." 

Nova knew this to be true. "I guess I'll have to make a new friend in this house." Nova stretched out her legs and leaned against her hands. 

"Lonely, are we?" 

Nova rolled her eyes at this. "More like bored." 

The door swung open, and the nervous looking, rat-man waddled into the room. 

"Peter," Severus spoke without turning to see who had entered. "You are interrupting again."  

"My apologies." Peter bowed his head slightly. "The Dark Lord awaits you two in the dining room." 

Severus turned towards him at this bit of news. "He's here?" 

"Yes, sir." Peter backed out of the room, keeping his eyes on Nova and Severus, and disappeared into the corridor. 

"What a weird, little man," Nova said quietly. 

"Come," Severus ordered. 

Severus and Nova walked into the dining room a couple of minutes later. Draco was standing, looking ill, while Lucius stood stone-faced and arms crossed, nearby. Bellatrix, who was Narcissa's sister, circled the poor boy. Her curly black hair was wild-looking, and she pushed it back in a way of controlling it. 

"It is an honour, Draco!" Bellatrix hissed into his ear. "Why are you behaving this way. Ungrateful!" 

"Calm down, Bellatrix," Lucius said. 

"You are all cowards." Bellatrix took a step back from Draco. 

"Where is the Dark Lord?" Severus said. 

"Not here," Lucius said, eyes lingering on Nova. 

"Peter said he was here," Severus replied. 

"Well, he lied." Bellatrix waved them off, as if to make them disappear. Her eyes fixated on Draco's pale face. 

"Why would he lie?" Nova asked. 

"Pathetic little-" Severus cursed him out.

"Severus," Lucius interrupted. "I told him to lie to you." 

"And why would you do that?" Severus raised an eyebrow at Lucius. 

"I wanted to confirm that I'd find the two of you together." Lucius uncrossed his arms, taking a long stride toward Nova and Severus. 

"Oh, this just got interesting." Bellatrix turned her attention to the newcomers. 

"Don't you have things to destroy, Bellatrix?" Lucius asked. "Like my will to live?" 

"That can wait." Bellatrix watched Lucius, giddy with excitement. "I want to see what happens next." 

"Lucius," Severus rubbed his temples, "why do you insist on wasting my time?" 

"I have my reasons, old friend." Lucius smirked. "I believe you have somewhere to be, Severus." 

Severus glanced at his wrist-watch and back at Nova. "I have to go. Will you be alright?" 

"She'll be fine, Severus." Lucius rested a hand on Nova's shoulder. "Go." 

Severus took one last look at Nova, then glanced at Lucius before apparating away. 

"What do you want?" Nova asked Lucius, keeping her voice low.

"Speak up, darling, I can barely hear," Bellatrix said. 

"Draco isn't feeling well." Lucius stood mere inches away from Nova. She could smell his expensive cologne. "Why don't you take him for a stroll outside?" 

"What is he, a dog?" Nova asked. 

Lucius gave Nova a look of warning and she rolled her eyes. "Draco, would you like to go for a walk?" Nova shouted over Lucius's shoulder, her eyes staying on Lucius.

"No thank you," Draco answered back. 

Nova raised an expectant eyebrow towards Lucius. Lucius nudged his head towards the door, indicating Nova to leave with him. When the two of them reached the hallway, Lucius turned Nova towards him aggressively, hand gripping her arm. 

"Can you at least try?" he said through clenched teeth. 

"You're making it too obvious." 

Lucius held Nova in place, her back against the cold wall. "He leaves tomorrow. Try harder." 

"If he doesn't let me in, what am I supposed to do?" 

"Maybe try wearing something that would grab his attention." Lucius glanced down at Nova's breast. 

"Are you serious?" Nova asked, arms reflexively crossing over her chest. "I'm not going to seduce a 16 year old. You're disgusting." 

Lucius's hold around her arm tightened. "You have to do something." 

"How about instead of holding me here hostage, you let me go so I could do my job?" 

Lucius took a step closer. "Something you should know about me," he whispered. "I have very little patience." 

Nova considered this for a moment. "I like a man who knows how to threaten," Nova teased. 

"Don't tempt me." Lucius looked down at Nova's full lips, eyes lingering. 

Bellatrix stepped into the hall, startling them both. 

"To no fault of my own," she said, "Draco left."