Fatal Affair

Chapter 22: The Knowing

"Unbind me," Nova muttered, struggling against the ropes holding her. 

"Speak first, sweet child," Bellatrix said. "Then I'll consider unbinding you." 

"Unbind me," Nova said with more urgency. 

"Where are your manners?" Bellatrix stood, peering down at Nova. "Ask nicely." 

"She's bleeding," Draco chimed in, pointing towards Nova.

Sure enough, blood crept down Nova's hand, droplets falling to the ground. Narcissa crouched down beside Nova and took her hand in her own. She examined it carefully. 

"Draco, fetch me a piece of cloth," Narcissa said to her son. 

Within minutes, Draco returned, holding a white piece of linen. Narcissa took it from him and wrapped Nova's hand, covering the cut. 

"Once we clean it, we'll have to check for glass," Narcissa said, standing back up. "Bella, lift the curse on my husband, please." 

Bellatrix begrudgingly listened to her sister. She waved her wand and Lucius let out a groan. He got up, rubbing his head where he must have hit it.

"About time," he said, grumpily. "Draco, what on earth were you thinking?" 

"You were trying to hurt her," mumbled Draco, not looking at his father. 

"We were simply having one of our lessons," Lucius said, nonchalantly. 

"Oh, please," Bellatrix said. "In the living room? You've practically destroyed the place."

"Think what you will, Bellatrix," Lucius said. "I am simply telling you what happened." 

"You two looked furious. You still do. This was not practice." 

"Can someone please unbind me?" Nova asked, growing impatient. 

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Bellatrix said, waving her wand towards Nova. The rope coiled back, freeing her. 

Nova stood, rubbing her arms, which were sore from being bound so tightly. 

"Now that everyone has calmed down," Bellatrix said. "Will someone tell us what happened? And don't try to feed us this practicing bullshit." 

"Lucius is an asshole," Nova said, giving Lucius a dirty look. "That's all." 

"Oh, sweet child, I could have told you that," Bellatrix said. 

"How dare-" Lucius took a step towards Nova.

"Enough!" Narcissa shouted. "I'm sick of you two acting like children." 

"It doesn't matter," Draco said, staring at the ground. "Whatever happened, it doesn't concern us. Can we just move on?" 

"Draco..." Nova said quietly. 

"The boy has a point," Lucius said. "This does not concern any of you." Lucius paused looking at his wife, then turned to Nova. "Nova?" 

"It's over now," Nova said, looking at Draco. "Let's just forget it ever happened." 

A long silence stretched throughout the room. Narcissa was the first to leave, barely looking at her husband. Bellatrix followed closely behind. Then Draco turned, following his aunt. 

"I should check on my wife," Lucius said.

"You should check on your son," Nova offered. 

Lucius ignored her and left, leaving Nova alone. 

Nova woke the next morning tired and sore. She glanced down at her bloody hand, balling her hand into a fist, which caused a sharp pain to radiate from her palm.

"Great," she muttered to herself. She knew this meant there was probably glass stuck in it. She hadn't bothered cleaning it before bed, feeling too exhausted. 

When she walked into the kitchen, avoiding the dining room for obvious reasons, Narcissa was sitting at the bar. She looked up when Nova walked in. 

Narcissa smiled politely. "You're not the only one avoiding everyone else." 

"I can go," Nova offered. 

"It's alright," Narcissa said sweetly. "You can stay."

Nova stood awkwardly in the doorframe, unsure of what she should do.

"Your hand," Narcissa gasped, jumping out of her seat. "I completely forgot." 

"It's fine." Nova quickly hid her hand behind her back. "I'll clean it later." 

"No, we need to clean it as soon as possible," Narcissa said, placing her hand on Nova's back. "We should have done this yesterday." She gently led Nova to a stool, forcing her to take a seat.

Narcissa grabbed a large wooden bowl from under the sink, filled it with water and grabbed a cloth. She placed these items on the island next to Nova, and carefully started to unwrap the linen that was now dyed red from her blood. 

Nova flinched in pain as Narcissa peeled the linen off of the cut. "Sorry, it might hurt a bit," Narcissa said. "Oh dear," she added when she saw the cut. The skin was red and swollen, the cut was still bleeding, appearing to be deeper than she expected. 

"Is it bad?" Nova said, looking up at the ceiling, unable to look at her injury. 

"Well, it isn't good. But I'll fix it up." 

Narcissa dampened the cloth with water, carefully dabbing at the cut, cleaning the dried blood. Narcissa's hand felt soft caressing Nova's hand, and Nova's heart ached. 

"I'm sorry about last night," Nova said, watching Narcissa's face. "We really fucked up your living room." 

"Things can be replaced," Narcissa said, continuing to clean the wound. "I'm just glad nobody got seriously hurt." She turned to rinse the cloth in the bowl. "I think there's still glass in this." Narcissa took out her wand, pointing it at Nova's hand. "Accio glass," she muttered. Two pieces of bloodied glass flew out of Nova's hand. Nova winced. "There we go." 

"Is-" Nova wanted to ask about Lucius, but stopped herself. She didn't even know if she cared how he was. She focused on Narcissa, watching her focused expression, her tender touch, and Nova's heart bled guilt. 

"Lucius is fine, in case you were wondering," Narcissa offered. Nova said nothing. "He can be... intense sometimes, as if he loses his way. But I'll always support him, no matter what. That's what family does." 

"So you would love him regardless of what he has or might do?" 

"Of course," Narcissa said. "He makes many mistakes, with Draco, with me. Sometimes, he puts his career first. But when things get tough, he always finds his way back to us. That's how I know he loves us, too." 

Nova bit her lip, unsure whether Narcissa was in denial or was right. "I'm sorry," Nova said in a small voice.

"For what, dear?" 

For everything. "I feel like I might have caused more bad than good here." 

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Narcissa took out her wand. "Episkey," she muttered. The clean cut stitched itself up, healing the skin and leaving a faint scar behind, an eternal reminder of Lucius. 

"Thank you," Nova said, flexing her fingers.  

"Lucius and Draco try to protect me by not telling me things," Narcissa said, her back to Nova as she put things away. "They forget that this is my house. I know everything that happens here. Lucius may be lost right now. But like I said," Narcissa turned and looked Nova in the eyes, "Lucius will always find his way back to me."