Fatal Affair

Chapter 7: Attraction

When Nova left Lucius's office and turned the corner, she ran into Bellatrix. 

"S-sorry," Nova muttered, unsure of who she had collided with. When she saw Bellatrix adjusting her dress, she frowned. 

"Wha't wrong, sweetie? Not happy to see me?" Bellatrix asked with a smirk. 

"I have to go." Nova tried going around her but Bellatrix stepped in her way. "Can you please move?" 

"Dinner is ready," Bellatrix announced. 

"OK, great, but I still need to stop by my room." Nova wanted to return her book before going to dinner. 

"I've noticed something lately," Bellatrix went on, ignoring Nova.

"Is that right?" Nova sighed, annoyed at being prevented from leaving. 

"I am quite observant, child. You should remember that." Bellatrix sounded out the word observant, as if that would engrave into Nova's brain. 

"I'll remember that, thank you." Nova tried to side-step again, only to be blocked by Bellatrix's outstretched arm. 

"Aren't you curious what I've been noticing?" 

"Not really." 

"Oh, don't be like that, sweet child." Bellatrix frowned. 

"Please, Bellatrix, let me go to my room," Nova begged. 

"You've been spending a lot of time with my dear brother-in-law," Bellatrix said as she began circling Nova, who remained frozen in place. "Don't you think?" 

Bellatrix tugged on one of Nova's strands of hair and Nova quickly ripped it out of her clutch. 

"But what I can't figure out," Bellatrix went on, "is why?" 

"It doesn't concern you Bellatrix," Nova said. 

"Oh, but it does." Bellatrix now faced Nova again, a smirk plastered on her face, enjoying every moment of this. "If it concerns my sweet, innocent, sister, then it concerns me." She finished her sentence in a sing-song voice. 

"It doesn't concern Narcissa, either." 

"Bullshit." Bellatrix's smile fell from her lips. 

Nova finally pushed passed her and made her way to her room. 

Dinner that night was awkward. Nova refused to look at Lucius and Bellatrix wouldn't stop looking at the two of them. Other Death Eaters were scattered around the table, eating and talking, but Nova usually ignored them all. Voldemort, even though residing somewhere within the house, never ate with them. 

"Nova and I had a very interesting talk today," Bellatrix said to Lucius, loud enough for Nova to hear. 

It was the first time Nova looked at Lucius all dinner. He looked at her, confused. "Is that right?" he asked. 

"Sure is," Bellatrix answered. 

"It wasn't that interesting," Nova said. 

A house-elf rounded the table towards Nova, a wine bottle in his hand. Nova quickly held out her glass to be filled and didn't take it back until it was filled to the top. When the house-elf walked away, she quickly chugged half her drink. Lucius cocked an eyebrow at her. 

"What are you doing?" he asked. 

"Just thirsty," Nova offered. Nova pushed her plate away and downed the rest of her drink. "I think I've lost my appetite." 

"Would you like me to send up some more wine, Miss Harrison?" Lucius asked. 

"Sure, that would be great." Nova got up from her seat. "Thank you, Mr Malfoy." 

Nova had almost made it to her room, steps sluggish from the wine, when Lucius caught up to her. He grabbed her waist so she could face him. 

"What the bloody hell was that about?" he asked. 

"Nothing," Nova answered. 

"Don't lie." 

"Your sister-in-law is..." Nova couldn't think of the right word.

"Insane?" Lucius offered. 

"I mean, yes." Nova looked down at Lucius's body, so close to hers. "You should let me go Lucius." 

"Why would I do that?" 

"Someone might see." 

"So you're implying that we're doing something wrong?" Lucius bent closer, his lips brushing Nova's ear. "Do you think we're doing something wrong, Nova?" 

Nova could feel his hot breath on her ear, could smell the wine he drank tonight mixing with his cologne. He smelled like pine and firewood, and she breathed him in, closing her eyes as she did so. She relaxed into his arms, allowing herself to be held for a moment. 

"This feels right to me," Lucius went on. He cocked his head slightly back so he could look down at Nova through his long lashes. 

Lucius teasingly brushed his lips against hers, and Nova let out a quiet moan of anticipation. 

"You are clearly attracted to me," Lucius continued. Nova wanted to protest, but the wine was quieting her mind, allowing her to react instinctively. "I am attracted to you. Why make it more complicated?" 

Nova placed her hands on his chest, feeling the solidity of it. She looked up at him, when some common sense came back to her. "Your wife, Lucius." 

"My wife is not here at the moment," Lucius said softly. 

Nova allowed herself to think about how nice it would be to kiss him, to not overthink everything and just let herself be. She closed her eyes, trying to make the room stop spinning but it only made things worse. She felt his breath before their lips touched. It was a soft kiss and it left her wanting more. 

"Tell me what you want," Lucius said. 

"I want you," Nova whispered. 

Footsteps were heard in the distance. Someone was coming up the stairs. Nova pushed Lucius hard against his chest and he took a step back. Nova wobbled without his arms to steady her and caught herself against the wall, holding onto a window sill for support. 

Bellatrix came up the wide stairs, a knowing look in her eyes.

"There you are, Lucius," Bellatrix said. "You two should stop sneaking around. People will get the wrong impression." 

"Bellatrix," Lucius said, "now is not the time. Can you please excuse us?" 

"I don't think Cissy would want me to leave you alone with such a young, pretty, drunk girl." 

"I'm not drunk," Nova said weakly. 

"Bellatrix," Lucius warned again. "Leave." 

"Can't you finish your conversation with me here?" Bellatrix pouted. "C'mon Lucius. Don't let this be a repeat of last time."

Lucius flashed Bellatrix a look of warning, however it was so quick, Nova didn't know whether she imagined it. "What happened last time?" Nova asked. 

"Oh, it's quite a story," Bellatrix started.

"Enough, Bellatrix," Lucius interrupted. "Let's allow Miss Harrison to rest. Goodnight, Miss Harrison." 

"Goodnight, Lucius," Nova said bravely. The alcohol and anger encouraged her to give Bellatrix something to worry about. 

Bellatrix raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth to speak, then Lucius nudged her towards the stairs and they both disappeared.