Fatal Affair

Chapter 36: Reconciliation

Nova writhed in pain as what felt like a billion bolts of lightning hit her body. Her nerves felt like they were engulfed in flames; her muscles vibrated as the pain radiated through them; her jaw clenched and her teeth clattered against each other. Just as she began thinking that death would be better than this, the pain eased. She ached from the aftermath, but the sensations slowed. She breathed heavily, bracing herself against what might come next. Lucius held her limp body. She no longer cared, she just wanted it to end. 

"Had enough?" Bellatrix asked. 

Nova stared at her feet, not having the energy to move her head. She remained silent, not wanting to give Bellatrix the satisfaction of a reply. 

"Have I managed to shut you up for good?" Bellatrix said. "I didn't think it would be that easy to break you." 

"Bellatrix," Lucius said, "stop it." 

"Do not defend her, Lucius," Narcissa hissed silently. She was leaning against the table, arms crossed. 

"You would be too if you didn't hate her, Narcissa," Lucius shot back. 

"How dare you?" Narcissa asked in a pained whisper. "She tried to destroy this family and you dare continue to stand by her?" 

"She didn't destroy anything," Lucius said. "Not if you don't let her." 

"You guys are a joke," Nova said, voice weak. "I'm such a small part of the problem. Narcissa, you're too blinded by your own ideals of a perfect family to take any blame or to blame Lucius. It's pathetic." 

"You bitch." Narcissa snarled and stepped towards Nova. She slapped her hard across the face. Nova stumbled sideways due to the force, causing Lucius to step with her, holding her up. "You know nothing of our family." 

Nova let out a small laugh. "I know nothing? Draco turned to me when he felt overwhelmed by the situation that you two put him in. Lucius turned to me for affection when you neglected him. Yet, I know nothing. You're delusional." 

"That may be true," Narcissa scowled, her face full of hatred, "yet neither of them are saving you now. You are alone. They will always stand by me. You were a mere pawn, used by both of them." 

"Why does everyone think I'm the one being used?" Nova asked. "I wanted the same thing Lucius wanted; sex. That's it. And the only reason I befriended Draco was because Lucius asked me too." 

"Yet you care about him," Bellatrix said, standing next to her sister. "You care for the boy." 

"Yes, because nobody else does!" Nova shot back. "He is just a boy and someone needs to defend him." 

"I did!" Narcissa shouted, tears springing to her eyes. "I did defend him, I cared for him! He is my son!" Narcissa's mouth twitched, her jaw shook with anger. "Why doesn't he come to me?" 

"Because he can't trust you, Narcissa," Nova said calmly. "You never gave him any other choice but to carry on with what You-Know-Who told him to do. You never gave him another option." 

"And you did!?" 

"Yes, I did," Nova said bitterly. "He knew I would've helped him run if that was what he decided. However, he never would've done that because his parents made it seem like he only had one choice. He lives to gain your appraisal, he lives to please you!" 

"Nobody can run from the Dark Lord," Bellatrix said. 

"You know nothing about raising a child," Narcissa whispered, tears streaking her cheeks. "I did everything I could to protect him." 

"It wasn't enough," Nova said. "I know you're trying to do the right thing, but Draco doesn't understand that. Draco just knows what it feels like to be neglected, left to his own devices. He was left to figure it out on his own and he was scared. Narcissa, you're not a bad mother. Please, don't take away one of the only people that care for your son. If you love him, you'll help me." 

Narcissa's eyes flashed. She stared at Nova but appeared to be seeing through her.

"Oh, please," Bellatrix said. "You think my sister would defy me?" Bellatrix looked at her sister's tear-stained face. "Cissy, the Dark Lord commands it. Think! Don't be rash." 

"Narcissa," Nova said. "Please. For Draco." 

"I-" Narcissa whispered. 

"Cissy!" Bellatrix shouted, forcing her sister's face to look at her. "She defiled your marriage! She ruined your family! She does not care for Draco. If she did, she would not have jeopardized your relationship with your husband. Do not listen to her words! You are fooling yourself. Help me destroy her. She deserves it after what she's done." 

Narcissa sucked in a breath. She looked dazed, as if she were far away from this room. 

"Cissy, think about it," Bellatrix went on. "She touched your husband in ways that only a wife should touch their husband. Her lips were on his, her body pressed against his own-" 

"Bellatrix-" Lucius warned.

"They have been wrapped around each other, coiled like snakes to one another, while you were caring for your son. Do not allow her to get away with that." 

Narcissa balled her hands into fists, her face stern, her lips pursed. 

"Bellatrix, stop!" Lucius shouted. 

"Hurt her, Cissy. Hurt her like she hurt you." Bellatrix lifted Narcissa's hand which held her wand, pointing it at Nova. "How dare she make a mockery of your marriage while using your son to try and grant herself empathy from you!? Show her that you will not be taken for a fool, show her that she cannot gain your forgiveness that easily! Do it, Cissy!" 

Narcissa's hand trembled, maybe from anger, maybe from fear, or perhaps from hurt. 

"How could you-" Narcissa stoped herself, her voice breaking on the last syllable. She waved her wand, changing its angle. "Crucio!" 

Nova squinted, bracing herself but nothing happened. Behind her, Lucius let her go as he fell to his knees, wriggling in pain. His cries filled the room and Nova turned to watch him, shock coursing through her. 

When the pain began the subside, Lucius grew quiet and still on the ground, catching his breath. Nova turned to looked at Narcissa, her chin high, watching her husband, her face voided of any emotion. 

"Cissy-" Bellatrix looked surprised. "That was unexpected." 

Nova inched away and Bellatrix lifted her arm, pointing her wand at Nova. "Don't even think about it," she said. 

Lucius managed to get onto his hands and knees. "Narcissa," he breathed, "you let your sister plant images in your head. How could you attack me?" 

"How could you risk losing me?" Narcissa shot back as Lucius got to his feet. "Do you not care for me Lucius?" 

"You know I do," Lucius said, gripping the wall for support. 

"Then why?" Narcissa asked. "Why do you do this?" 

"You know I can't answer that," Lucius said. 

"Is it because you don't know why?" Narcissa asked, tears continuing to fall down her face. "Or because the answer would hurt me?" 

Lucius said nothing, eyeing his wife. 

"This is getting boring," Bellatrix announced. "We need to finish this before the Dark Lord arrives." She turned her attention to Nova. "Any final words? And please, make them quick." 

"Bellatrix, there has to be another way," Lucius offered. 

Bellatrix let out a laugh. "You continue to defend her after all of that? You cannot protect her any longer Lucius. Forget her, focus on fixing your marriage." She looked at Nova, determination in her gaze. "Avada Ke-" 

Suddenly, the door to the room flew open with a bang, interrupting Bellatrix's curse.