Fatal Affair

Chapter 23: A Special Task

Nova was sitting by her usual bay window, reading, when Severus found her. It was approaching the end of the holidays and Nova had been avoiding most people in the Manor.

"What happened?" Severus asked, leaning against the frame of the window.

"Nothing," Nova said, her eyes remaining on her book. She had brought pillows to prop herself up in the window.

"You know I know that isn't true, so you might as well tell me." 

"Fine." Nova put the book down on her lap. "I called Lucius out for being a shit dad and he got mad and some curses might have been thrown in there. It's a blur, really." 

"Jesus Christ, Nova," Severus muttered. "You had no right doing that." 

"He deserved it." 

"I don't doubt that he did," Severus said, gazing at Nova. "Did anyone get hurt?" 

"Not really," Nova said. "Just cut my hand a bit." 

"Let me see." Severus held out his hand. 

"It's nothing, really," Nova insisted, pulling her hand back instinctually. 

Severus reached out his hand and took hers. He gazed at her palm intently, examining the scar that remained. The skin around it was slightly inflamed. 

"Does it hurt?" Severus asked. 

"Not at all." 

"Did you stitch it up?" 

"Narcissa did," Nova mumbled, turning her gaze away from Severus. 

Severus let go of her hand. "Can you keep a low profile for awhile? You need to stop drawing so much attention to yourself. Just do your duty, and nothing more. Understood?"

"Yes, Severus," Nova said impatiently. "I'm capable of doing my job." 

With a nod, Severus left and Nova went back to her book.

That evening, Nova took a walk across the grounds. She found Draco on a bench, staring into the forest. Nova turned to leave when Draco noticed her.

"You don't have to go," Draco said.

Nova silently sat beside him, afraid to say something that might make him regret his invitation to stay. 

"How's your hand?" Draco asked after a few minutes in silence.

"It's fine," Nova answered. "Thanks for paralyzing your father." 

"That wasn't for you," Draco said. "I didn't want him to hit my mother by accident." 

Nova decided to not dwell on this topic. "Why aren't you inside having dinner with everyone?" 

"I just needed some space," Draco said. 

"I can relate," Nova mumbled, looking up into the sky that was full of stars. "Draco, I'm really sorry. What was going on with your father, it's over now, OK?" 

"Do you think you mattered to him?" Draco asked, peering into the forest.

"W-what?" Nova asked, taken aback.

"Did you think you were special?" Before Nova could answer, Draco continued. "You weren't, you know. He does this all the time. Do you think you're the first whore I caught with my father? You're not. He uses you guys, and you just allow it to happen." 

"I know you're mad Draco, but that doesn't mean you get to be an ass," Nova said. "Did you ever think I was using him? I didn't think I was special to him. I knew he would never choose me over your mother, and I didn't want him too."

"Then why?" Draco said, heated. "What was the point? Why cause that much trouble for... whatever you call that relationship?" 

"It's hard to explain," Nova admitted. 

"Well can you try?" Draco asked.

"No matter what I say, Draco, it won't make you feel better about it," Nova said. "It's something that happened and I'm sure your father regrets it." 

Draco let out a humourless laugh. "The only thing my father regrets is that I found out." 

A long pause stretched out before Nova spoke. "You aren't alone, Draco. You're surrounded by people you can talk to." 

"Like who?" Draco asked.

"Your mother, for one," Nova said. "She would do anything for you. Severus is also there for you..." Nova refrained from saying herself. 

"They don't get it," Draco said. 

"I'm still here for you, whether you're ready to accept that or not." 

"Draco!" Nova and Draco turned to see Bellatrix calling from a few feet away. "Nova. The Dark Lord is asking for you two." 

Nova and Draco followed Bellatrix into the dining room, where Lucius, Severus and Voldemort were seated. Bellatrix sat next to her master, Draco next to his father, and Nova next to Severus. 

"There they are!" Voldemort said, raising a hand. 

Draco immediately averted his eyes, staring at his hands. "You asked for us, My Lord?" Nova said. 

"I have," Voldemort said, a small smile on his lips. "I believe it is time to put you to good use, Nova." Bellatrix grinned broadly, looking at Voldemort fondly. "I need you to run a little errand for me. You see, I have a very special item that belongs to me. A trinket of sorts. It is very... sentimental to me and I believe it is in danger." 

"What type of danger?" Nova asked.

"I believe... others might try to take it from me." Voldemort leaned forward in his chair. "If something were to happen to this item, I would be extremely angry." 

"What can I do to help?" Nova asked. 

"I need you to fetch it for me, alongside Bellatrix. Then, I need you to hide it somewhere nobody will ever find. Is that clear?" 

"Yes, My Lord," Nova said, suddenly getting an itch on her Dark Mark. "What object is this?" 

"It is a cup," Voldemort paused.

"A cup?" Nova asked. 

"You'll recognize it once you see it, I'm sure." Voldemort stood from his chair. "Bellatrix will fill you in on the rest. This is an extremely important task, Nova. Do not disappoint me." 

Voldemort apparated on the spot, leaving the room in silence. Nova turned her head and realized Draco had disappeared with Voldemort. 

"Draco," she gasped. 

"He'll be fine," Lucius said quietly.