Fatal Affair

Chapter 6: The First Letter

Nova spent the next couple of weeks avoiding Lucius. She tried mapping her own plan on how to befriend Draco and needed space from Lucius to avoid his influence. She spent most of her time, hauled up in her bedroom, reading and planning. She missed the company of Tonks or Remus or Molly Weasley, she longed for a familiar face. 

On a particular rainy evening, Severus waltz into her bedroom and sat himself in a chair, a piece of parchment in his hand. He started reading the parchment lazily. 

"Excuse me." Nova sat up in her bed, leaning back on propped pillows. "I thought this was my bedroom." 

Severus ignored her, continued looking down at the parchment. 

"What are you reading?" Nova wondered. 

Severus held up a finger to silence her and Nova sighed. "I hate you," she muttered under her breath, attention returning to the book she had been reading. 

"Have you been in contact with Draco lately?" Severus asked after a few minutes had passed.

"No, why?" Nova closed her book and set it aside. 

"He's shutting me out." Severus folded up the parchment. 

"Severus," Nova said aggressively, "what were you reading?" 

"A letter." 

"Jesus Christ Severus." Nova swung her legs over the side of her bed and stood up. "Can I see it?" 

"It doesn't concern you." 

"Well what did it say?" 

"It was a letter from Narcissa." When Nova cocked one eyebrow expectantly, Severus continued. "She is simply worried, as she should be. That boy is proving to be a nuisance." 

"Just talk to him," Nova offered, leaning against the foot of her wooden bed frame. 

"What on earth do you think I've been doing? Observing him from afar and not saying a word?" Severus replied sarcastically. "Have you spoken to Dumbledore about Draco?" 

"Yes," Nova answered. 

"So why haven't you acted?" 

"How do you know I haven't?" Nova shot back. 

"Because I know you." 

"You do not." Nova crossed her arms defiantly. "You're seriously annoying me. I'm coming up with something." 

Severus stood up and approached Nova. He was easily a head and some taller than her. He looked down at her, eyes gazing deep within hers. "Make it quick, before that boy does something idiotic." 

"It'll be fine, Severus. Stop worrying." 

Severus continued peering at Nova, looking into her eyes as if reading her mind. "Lucius is looking for you." 

Severus turned on his heel and left. 

The next day, Nova lounged on a sofa in the grand entrance to Malfoy Manor, reading a book. Distant voices were growing louder, then Lucius, Narcissa and Bellatrix walked into the grand entrance. Nova glanced up at them. Lucius's eyes lingered on her before moving back to his wife. Narcissa and Bellatrix paid her no attention. A suitcase magically followed them in. 

"Are you sure you won't come, Bella?" Narcissa asked. 

"I must stay close to our Dark Lord," Bellatrix answered. "If I weren't here when he needed me, I would never forgive myself." 

"Surely two days away won't hurt." Narcissa placed a persuading hand on Bellatrix's arm.

"I'm not going, Cissy." Bellatrix shook off her sister's hand. 

"Fine." Narcissa turned to her husband. "Please notify me immediately if Draco writes." 

"Of course, sweetheart." Lucius took Narcissa's hands in his own. "Just try not to worry and enjoy your time with your cousin." 

"Thank you," Narcissa said. 

Her hands gently wrapped around Lucius's neck, his hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, and their lips met. The kiss was long and Nova started feeling sick to her stomach. She stood to leave when they broke apart.

"Don't. Go. Anywhere," Lucius warned her without turning his head in her direction. "I need to speak with you." 

Narcissa quickly glanced in Nova's direction and gave her husband a concerning look. She then left with her suitcase close behind. 

Lucius turned to look at Nova, who was standing by the door leading to the corridor. He looked disappointed and Nova almost rolled her eyes, but stopped herself. 

"Careful Lucius," Bellatrix said into his ear, her chin resting on his shoulder. 

Bellatrix left with a cackle. 

Lucius gestured towards the corridor, and Nova knew where to go. She made her way to his office with him following close behind. Once they were seated, Lucius let out a long sigh. 

"What am I going to do with you?" he asked. 

"What are you talking about?" 

Lucius leaned forward from behind his desk, his elbows resting on the wooden surface. "You have yet to fulfill your end of the bargain." 

"I need time." 

"I gave you time," Lucius said louder than he meant too. Nova sat up straight, startled by the sudden outburst. "My wife has been... concerned. I am growing weary of hearing about this. Do something. Now." 

"Fine, I'll write to him," Nova agreed. "But you need to give me space to do that. Don't try to control it." 

"You have no faith in me,"Lucius feigned a look of hurt on his face. He leaned back in his chair, clearly relieved. He opened his top desk drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper. He placed it in front of her on the desk and pushed a quill in ink towards her. "Write." 

"Are you serious?" Nova looked at the paper in disbelief. "I can't do this with you watching me." 

"I am a busy man, Nova," Lucius said. "Write and I will occupy myself with other things." 

Nova looked at Lucius, wondering if he was being serious. When Lucius pulled out a beige file from another drawer, opened it and started reading through it, she knew he was serious. She grabbed the paper and used her book for something solid to write on. She brought her knees up high in the chair so Lucius couldn't see. She dipped the quill in the ink and started writing. 

"Good girl," Lucius muttered without looking up. 

Nova bit her lip and considered him for a moment before returning to her letter.