Fatal Affair

Chapter 28: The Meeting

Nova sat bundled in a blanket by the fireplace in Malfoy Manor. She felt warmer after her bath, but her bones ached and she had a lingering headache. Her fingertips were slightly discoloured, but slowly returning to their pinkish shade. 

Severus walked in, handing a mug to Nova.

"What's this?" she asked, looking into the cup.

"Peppermint tea," Severus said, sitting down next to Nova. 

Nova took a sip, allowing the warm liquid to sit in her mouth, then swallowed and felt the heat travel through her throat and warm her body. She held the mug close, letting the steam hit her face. 

"Can you tell me what happened?" Severus asked. 

Nova stared into the flames of the fire, which was casting a warm glow upon the room. "Is Bellatrix back?" she asked instead of answering.

"I don't think so." 

Nova sighed, then told Severus everything that had happened, from visiting the sketchy shop, to diving into the cold river, to Bellatrix dismissing her to hide the cup. "She just... told me to go. Wouldn't even listen to me. She seemed to blinded by her own greed, even though the cup has nothing to do with her," Nova finished.  

"Greed for Bellatrix takes the form of the Dark Lord's approval," Severus said. "Did you get a good look at the cup?" 

"I didn't..." Nova said, biting her lip. "Bellatrix was protective of it. Regardless, I was trying not to die." A long silence stretched between them. "Do you know why it's important to You-Know-Who?" 

"I'm not sure," Severus said slowly. "Dumbledore is not telling me much about it." 

"Severus..." Nova paused, thinking about how to phrase her question. Severus gazed at her, expectantly. "Do you think Draco will succeed in killing Dumbledore?" 

Severus remained silent for a long time, avoiding meeting Nova's eyes. "I'm not sure," he finally answered. "But we have to trust that Dumbledore knows what he's doing." 

"I don't think Draco has it in him," Nova said. Severus gave her a look, urging her to go on. "I just don't think he's a murderer. He doesn't want this, he was just forced into it." Nova looked at Severus's arm, where she knew the dark mark lay beneath his sleeve. "Severus, did you make an unbreakable vow?" 

"What?" Severus asked, quickly looking at Nova. "What are you talking about?" 

"Bellatrix told me you made an unbreakable vow." 

Severus remained quiet, rubbing his temples. 

"So it's true," Nova deciphered. "With who?" No answer. "Was it with Bellatrix?" 

"Of course not, I'm not insane," Severus said in one quick breath. He watched the flames crackle, and without looking away from the fire, answered. "With Narcissa." 

"But why?" Nova asked, a new sense of panic rising in her throat. 

"She asked me to protect Draco," Severus explained. 

Nova sat up straighter. "Severus, please tell me you didn't. You're joking, right?" Severus shook his head. "Why? You could die." 

"I am aware of the consequences of breaking an unbreakable vow, Nova." 

"Then tell me why," said Nova, voice cracking. "Please." 

"She was desperate." 

"And!?" The word came out in a choked whisper. "Severus-"

"This really doesn't concern you," Severus said. "Bellatrix shouldn't have said anything." 

Nova remained silent for a moment, pushing away the tears that threatened to fall. "Does Dumbledore know?" 

"Yes," Severus said. 

"Severus-" 

"It's done, Nova," Severus said, standing up. "There's so much you do not understand and I do not have the time or patience to explain it to you. Do yourself a favour, and let this go." 

Nova stood up, letting her blanket fall the ground. She grabbed Severus's hand, preventing him from leaving. "Don't walk away," she whispered. "Please don't leave." 

"Nova, what do you want from me?" Severus asked, eyes piercing through Nova. 

Someone cleared their throat. Nova turned her head to find Lucius had entered to room. Nova let go of Severus's hand. 

"The meeting is starting," Lucius said before slipping away. 

Nova and Severus walked into the dining room where everyone was already seated, including Bellatrix and Voldemort. 

"Alas," Voldemort said upon seeing the newcomers join, "you've decided to join us."

"Our apologies, My Lord," Severus said taking his seat next to Nova, "we hadn't noticed the time." 

"Personal obligations and relationships can be quite distracting," Voldemort said softly. "You would know that best, Severus, wouldn't you?" 

Nova glanced at Severus curiously. Severus didn't answer. 

"Bellatrix." Voldemort turned towards his loyal follower. 

"It is secured, My Lord," Bellatrix said, bowing her head slightly. 

"I hope it wasn't too much trouble to retrieve," Voldemort said. 

"No trouble at all," Bellatrix said and Nova shot her a dirty look. 

"Are you saying that my protective charms were not protective enough?" Voldemort asked threateningly. 

"N-no, not at all, My Lord," Bellatrix answered quickly. "Our newest member almost lost her life retrieving it. Your charms had been upholding exceedingly well, My Lord." 

"'Almost' lost her life?" Voldemort turned his attention to Nova. 

"I saved her," Bellatrix said pleasantly, as if receiving praise from a favourite teacher.

Nova rolled her eyes and Voldemort looked at her as if to confirm this. "Surprisingly, she did save me. I'm not sure why she did, though." 

"Why did you, Bellatrix?" Voldemort asked. "Why not let her perish? What is another life lost at the hands of you?" 

"It was not my concern whether she lived or died," Bellatrix admitted. "I did not want the Death Eaters to suffer in numbers when it was no effort to save her." 

"Ah," Voldemort said. "How altruistic of you." 

Nova had to hold in a laugh and Severus nudged her under the table. 

"Everything alright Severus?" Voldemort asked, noticing the nudge. 

"Yes, My Lord," Severus said. 

"I would like a word with you. Alone," Voldemort said, eyes remaining on Severus. 

Everyone at the table dispersed and Nova followed their lead, leaving Severus and Voldemort alone.