Fatal Affair

Chapter 11: Friends

That night, Nova decided to try and check on Lucius. She had almost made it to his door when Narcissa stepped outside of the bedroom. Nova wanted to turn and walk the other way, but Narcissa had already spotted her, so instead she froze in place. 

"Coming to check on my husband?" Narcissa asked. 

Nova hesitated before speaking. "I just wanted to make sure he was OK." 

Narcissa sighed and took a few steps, closing the distance between herself and Nova. "He's fine. Sore and angry, but fine." 

"That's good," Nova said, fidgeting awkwardly. "Um. I should go back to my room." 

"Nova, wait." Narcissa stretched a hand out as if to touch Nova, but quickly brought it back down the her side. "Is it OK if I call you Nova?" Nova nodded curtly. "I- I wanted to apologize for today. I came off as short with you in the dining room. I was just shocked at what was happening. I didn't mean anything by it." 

Great, was Narcissa really apologizing to me? Nova thought. "It's fine, really." 

"I've been so stressed lately," Narcissa went on.

"Of course," Nova said. "I can't imagine what you're going through with Draco." 

"It's not just Draco." Narcissa bit her lip. "Lucius just seems so... distant lately." 

Nova played with a thread on her shirt, feeling uncomfortable. "I'm sorry," was all she could think to say. 

"He gets like that sometimes," Narcissa went on. "So I'm used to it. However, with our son in this awful position, I just wish he was more there for me." Narcissa gazed off into the distance, appearing to be in deep thought. Nova fidgeted again, switching her weight from foot to foot. Narcissa started, as if forgetting that Nova was there. "I'm sorry, Nova. I don't know why I'm telling you this." 

Nova smiled politely. "It's lonely, I get it. You can always talk to me." Nova regretted it as soon as she said it, but it seemed to be the nice thing to say. 

"Thank you." Narcissa smiled sadly. "You're a sweet girl." 

Friday night, Nova was reading in her room when Lucius came to fetch her. 

"Draco's in the lounge," he said. 

"OK?" 

"Come." 

"You're trying too hard, Lucius," Nova said, leaning against her doorframe. 

"Don't make me repeat myself." 

Nova rolled her eyes and followed Lucius down the hall. When they reached the corridor that led to the lounge, Nova halted. 

"What are you doing?" Lucius said quietly. 

"This seems too forced. He's going to know," Nova whispered back.

"Nonsense." Lucius placed his hand in the small of Nova's back and led her down the corridor. 

"Lucius, this is stupid," Nova said in hurried whispers. "Please don't make me do this." 

"Do you have a better plan?" he asked, also in a whisper. 

"Yes," Nova urged on, "let it be more natural. I'll find him tomorrow, at a normal hour." 

"It's too late." Lucius continued leading Nova with his hand on her back. "We're here now." 

Draco suddenly popped in the opening on the corridor that led to the lounge. "What are you two whispering about?" He looked from his father to Nova curiously.

"Nothing," they both said in unison. 

Lucius's hand quickly fell from Nova's back and Draco's eyes followed it. 

"I was just going to find your mother," Lucius announced. 

"Alright?" Draco turned and went back into the room. 

Nova shot Lucius a dirty look before he nudged her in after Draco and turned around to leave. 

Nova sat next to Draco on one of the expensive-looking sofas. 

"How are you?" she asked, unsure of what to say.

"I'm fine," Draco eyed her suspiciously. "What's with my father?" 

"He's just worried about you, Draco," Nova answered honestly. 

"He needs to mind his own business." 

A few silent moments passed. "You're stressed," Nova pointed out.

"So?" 

"We should do something fun tomorrow," Nova suggested. "So you can relax."

"Like what?" Draco looked at her with bored interest. 

"Anything!" Nova pondered for a few seconds. "Actually, let me surprise you!" 

"I don't know..." Draco said. 

"Please! If it's not fun, then I owe you one favour." Draco continued to hesitate. "Please." 

"Fine," Draco agreed. "But I have things to do tomorrow, so you get one hour." 

"I can work with that." Nova smiled.