Fatal Affair

Chapter 20: Christmas

Christmas morning, Nova decided to spend the holiday at the Weasleys. She told anyone who would ask (specifically Bellatrix) that she was visiting with family. She couldn't stand the thought of being around the Malfoys during a family holiday, and was eager at the chance to avoid Narcissa for awhile. 

Nova watched the Weasley children and Harry Potter open some presents. Mrs Weasley handed Nova a gift wrapped in brightly blue wrapping paper. Through Nova's surprise, she was able to mutter a 'thank you' and opened it. There was a jumper with the letter 'N' on it. Nova's heart swelled with gratitude. 

"It's not much," Mrs Weasley was saying, absent-mindedly picking up bawled up wrapping paper off the ground. "I made it in case you were spending Christmas here." 

Tears sprang to Nova's eyes. Her parents had died a few years ago, leaving her Christmas's meaningless and bland. She struggled to speak. 

"Oh dear," Mrs Weasley put a hand on Nova's thigh, "I didn't mean to make you emotional." 

"I'm OK," Nova reassured her, wiping her face with her sleeve. "I'm just happy to be here." 

Mrs Weasley smiled kindly, then turned her attention to her children. Nova took a moment to look around the room, acknowledging how happy people seemed. Remus was sitting with Fleur (one of the Weasley children's girlfriends), Mr Weasley had his arm wrapped around his wife, who were looking at Ginny fondly. The twins were engaging in conversation with Ron and Harry, making them laugh so hard, Ron doubled over. For a brief, overwhelming moment, Nova felt undeserving. She knew the Malfoy family were different, however she couldn't help herself from wondering if she was potentially destroying their family. New tears sprang to her eyes, this time stemming from shame and guilt. 

"He's done it before, you know," Remus said quietly, sitting down beside Nova.

"Who's done what before?" Nova asked, trying to blink away her tears. 

"Lucius," Remus answered, looking anywhere but at Nova, which she was thankful for. "He finds someone new to... play with. You're not the first, nor will you be the last." 

"Wha-" Nova felt shock overcome her shame. "How do you-"

"Severus mentioned it before." 

"Mentioned what?" 

"Your affair with Lucius and Lucius's pattern of betraying his wife," Lucius explained. "I wasn't sure which you were referring too." Remus turned to look at Nova. "I assume that's why you're crying. You feel guilty." 

Nova's mouth fell open, she wasn't sure how to respond to him. 

"I saw the way you were looking at Arthur and Molly," Remus answered one of many unasked questions. 

"I'm sorry," Nova said. "But how does Severus even know about Lucius and me?" 

"I'm not really sure," Remus admitted. "I assume he used Legilimency." 

"I'm going to kill him," Nova muttered. 

"Secrets make us feel isolated. Maybe it's OK that he knows." 

"And apparently told everyone," Nova said sarcastically. 

"He didn't tell everyone," Remus said. "I overheard him talking to Dumbledore." 

"I can't believe him," Nova said. 

"Anyways," Remus said, "I'm not sure why Severus hasn't told you because I think you should know. Lucius does this all the time. His marriage is not your responsibility." 

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Nova stole a sideways glance at Remus. 

"I was hoping it would. But I also understand why it might not." Remus leaned back, watching the twins release some small fireworks across the room. Mrs Weasley was trying to stop them. "I just think you're blaming yourself for something really big, that truthfully, you've only had a small part in." 

"So I should only feel a little bit guilty?" Nova asked. 

"That's one way to look at it." 

"Look," Nova sighed, "I appreciate you trying to help, but this is my problem, my business. I don't want advice on it." 

"I didn't come here with the expectation that I was going to give you advice." 

"Then why did you come over here?" 

"Because you looked like you needed a friend." Remus stood to leave. "If you need one, you can let me know." 

He walked away, leaving Nova to sit alone with her thoughts.

She returned to Malfoy Manor later that evening. Nova tried to slip her way into her room without being noticed, however Lucius cornered her in an empty corridor before she got there. 

"Happy Christmas," he said, getting so close that Nova's back was pressed against the wall. 

"Happy Christmas," said Nova grimly. 

He gently brushed his lips to hers and she could smell the whiskey on his breath. 

"You've been drinking," Nova pointed out.

"It's Christmas, of course I've been drinking." He kissed her again. "Today has been long. I could use some sort of relief." 

"I have a headache, Lucius," Nova said, which was partially true. She felt a headache coming on since she left the Weasley's. 

His hands wrapped around her waist. 

"Were you aware that Severus knows about us?" Nova asked. This caused Lucius to slightly tilt his head back to properly look at her.

"How?" 

"Legilimency, apparently." Nova wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing Lucius back in, kissing her again. 

"He won't tell," was all Lucius said. 

"Are you sure?" Nova whispered, allowing her eyes to close as he kissed her neck. 

"I'm sure." 

"Is that because he didn't tell the other times?" Nova asked. 

Lucius's head shot up, peering at her through narrowed eyes. "Excuse me?" 

"I'm not mad Lucius," Nova said gently. "I don't really care that there have been others before me, to tell you the truth. Just don't try to deny it." 

"I wasn't," Lucius said, sounding slightly more sober. "Did Severus tell you this?" 

"How many were there, Lucius?" Nova said seductively, ignoring his question, pulling him in for another kiss. Lucius lingered on her lips, buying himself time. 

"Why does that matter?" Lucius said, his breath on her lips. "None of them compare to you." 

Nova let out a laugh. "I bet you've said that to all of them." 

Lucius kissed her more deeply, his hand slipping down her waist to her leg. He pulled her leg up and she wrapped it around him, pulling his body closer to hers. His hand stroked her thigh, while his other hand held her in place by gripping her waist. 

"I want you, love," Lucius said through heavy breaths. 

"You can have me," Nova breathed back. 

"What the-"  

Lucius and Nova whiped their heads to the side to see Draco standing at the end of the corridor, watching them. Lucius pulled himself away from Nova in a heartbeat. Draco quickly composed the shock on his face, his surprise mixing with anger. 

"Son," Lucius started. "It's not what it looks li-." 

"Don't." Draco turned to leave, jaw clenched. 

"Draco!" Nova called after him, but it was too late. Draco had disappeared down the hall, and Lucius and Nova stood there, dumbfounded.