Fatal Affair

Chapter 4: Trust

Nova found Draco sitting on a bench within the grounds of his mansion. She sat beside him, gazing into the night.

"Everyone's looking for you," she said, stealing a glance at Draco. 

"They're driving me crazy," Draco said. 

"Yeah, well they are all fucking crazy, so that makes sense." 

A pause stretched out between the two of them before Draco spoke again. "What is it that you want with me?" He turned to look at her.

"Nothing," she said. "I'm just trying to be there for you. I know what it's like to be in a situation where you feel alone." 

"I think you're full of it." Draco turned back to gaze into the darkness that lay beyond the lit grounds. 

"Why is it so hard to believe that someone is being nice to you? Did your family fuck you up that much?" 

"You would know," Draco muttered. "You seem pretty close with my father." 

"How observant." Nova paused. "I'm not going to apologize for being nice." 

"I don't want you too," Draco replied.

"What do you want, then?" 

"I want you to stop pretending." 

"Fuck off, Draco." Nova shook her head. She got up to leave, annoyed at his resistance. "You don't have to believe me, but that's a pretty lonely life you're living." 

"I'll get used to it." 

"You already are." Nova took a step away before stopping. "Oh, can you go in soon so your mom stops freaking out? I can't handle that shit." 

Draco sighed and got up to follow Nova. 

Later that night, Nova was reading in the bay window when Draco came up to her and sat on the other end. Nova had to move her feet to make room for him.

"Sure, have a seat," she said sarcastically. 

Draco said nothing.

"Can I help you?" Nova asked. 

Draco looked at her, as if just realizing she was there. "What are you reading?" 

Nova sighed, sat upright and closed her book, resting it in her lap. "What do you want?" 

"I have a plan," Draco said quickly. 

Nova slowly set her book down beside her, eager to hear more. "What is it?" 

"I don't know if it'll work. It might not." 

"What is it, Draco?" Nova asked again. 

"I won't say until I have it more figured out." 

"Alright, that's fair I suppose." Nova tried to hide the disappointment on her face. 

"What if I fail?" Draco whispered. "He'll kill me." 

Nova thought for a moment, then placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Then you don't fail." Draco looked at her reproachfully. "You make sure you don't fail, Draco. Failing isn't an option." 

"You sound like my father." 

"I suppose I do," muttered Nova. "Draco, is there a reason the Dark Lord might be trying to use you against your father?" 

"He's mad at him because he failed to retrieve something for him," Draco explained.

"What was it?" 

"I dunno, no one will tell me." Silence lingered between them. "They treat me like a child, yet they ask me to do this." 

Nova leaned back, growing tired of him acting like the victim. "Draco, I think this is more about your dad than it is about you." 

"Then why am I being punished?" Draco asked. 

"Because you're his son, I guess." Nova watched Draco's hands, bawling into fists on his lap. "You're smart enough to figure this out." 

"You don't even know me," Draco whispered. 

"If you're anything like your dad, you'll figure it out." 

"And you think you know him?" 

"More than I'd like to, yes." 

Draco looked at Nova suspiciously. "Stay away from my father, Nova." With that, Draco got up and walked away. 

The next morning, Nova found herself in Lucius's office again. She stood across from him, his lean body resting against his desk. 

"And?" he urged her on.

"Nothing more." Nova shrugged. "He's opening up slightly, but it's slow." 

Nova knowingly avoided telling Lucius about Draco's warning for her to stay away from his father, wanting to avoid anymore complexity to this seemingly simple task. 

"You realize he leaves today." Lucius stood up straight. 

"I'm aware." 

Lucius sighed. "You'll have to write to him, often." 

Nova rolled her eyes. "As you wish," she said bitterly. 

"I find pleasure in you obeying me." Lucius leaned into Nova, brushing her long hair over her shoulder. His hand followed the length of her hair down until it landed on her waist, gently resting on her side. Nova's heart skipped a beat. 

"That's kind of fucked up," she said quietly. "Is that some strange kink of yours, Lucius?" 

"There's something about hearing my name on your lips, Nova." It was the first time he had used her first name, and she hated to admit that she felt something too when he used it. 

"I-" Nova's head was spinning as she tried to think of something witty to say, however Lucius's closeness made it hard to think coherently. 

"Do you ever tire of hearing yourself speak?" Lucius asked, pulling Nova closer so their bodies touched. 

"Oddly enough, I don't." Nova lowered her gaze, as she was so close that looking at his face made her cross-eyed. Nova lifted her head, her nose grazing his neck. "Lucius-" She placed her hands against his chest, giving a gentle push. 

"You're toying with my emotions." Lucius smirked. 

Nova doubted he had many emotions to toy with. "Your wife, Mr Malfoy." 

Lucius stepped back, glaring at Nova. "I see," he said quietly. He leaned back against his desk when Narcissa barged into the room.

"Lucius," she said, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Are you ready to go?" 

"Go?" Lucius asked, eyes lingering on Nova. Nova refused to glance in his direction, heart pounding in her ears. 

"Your son, Lucius." Narcissa was definitely angry. "He's leaving for school. We have to take him to the station." 

"Right." Lucius looked towards his wife, clarity flashing in his eyes. 

He followed Narcissa out of the room, and Nova followed him. They all went into the entryway, where Draco awaited them. 

Nova rushed passed Lucius and Narcissa to pull Draco into a tight hug, making sure that Narcissa witnessed it. Nova wasn't entirely sure why she wanted Narcissa to see. 

"You'll write, won't you?" Nova asked, pulling away from the hug.

"I suppose," Draco mumbled, looking slightly confused. 

"Please do." Nova smiled at him. "Good luck at school, Draco," she called after him as he left, his mother's arm around his shoulders. Lucius walked by after them, offering a knowing smile at Nova before departing.