Hey, Soul Sister [Lucius/Narcissa]

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"On your left!"

Lucius banked hard to the right, moving out of the Bludger's path an instant before it would've impacted his shoulder. He cast a withering glance at Dorcas Meadowes, who lingered only a moment before zipping off after the Bludger, her bat raised. Lucius looked to Walden and nodded appreciatively for the warning before returning his focus to scanning the air for the little golden ball he'd been tracking.

There. Just a few meters from the goalpost.

He leaned forward, guiding the broom toward the Snitch, which zipped around behind the three Gryffindor goalposts as though determined to put Lucius directly in the path of as many members of the opposing team as possible.

Brilliant.

He dove to dodge another Bludger and narrowly missed the foot of the Gryffindor Keeper, which moved far too near to his head for comfort, before flying directly through one of the goalposts—a move that earned quite a bit of cursing from Gryffindor—and emerging beside the Snitch. Lucius gripped his broom tightly with one hand and lunged for the spot where the little blasted winged thing hovered, and when his fingers closed around the Snitch, cheers erupted from the Slytherin section of the stands. He scanned the crowd as he began his descent, and as he spotted Narcissa in the first row, he couldn't stop himself from grinning.

He only halfway paid attention to the congratulations and pats on the back from his teammates when he reached the ground. He knew Slytherin was well on its way to winning the Quidditch Cup, and he knew the team wouldn't have been able to reach this level of success without him, which, he couldn't deny, added to his already-considerable pride. At the moment, though, he was more excited about the fact that he could share this victory with his fiancée.

Fiancée. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.

She was waiting beneath the stands; as he started off the field and toward the locker room, he found himself being caught by the arm and dragged off-course, not that he minded in the slightest. His grin returned when they were alone beneath the wooden latticework and the thundering footsteps of the dispersing crowd.

"You were right," said Narcissa, smiling up at him as the light breaking through the stands above them cast a pattern of lines over her face. "There was no reason to worry."

"I told you." Lucius smirked, laying a gloved hand on her cheek and leaning down to meet her soft lips. Narcissa moved closer, sliding an arm around his shoulders and molding her body to his as she returned the kiss. Lucius was certain this closeness would be temporary—they were, after all, still technically in public, and regardless, he didn't plan to push her to move more quickly than she was prepared to—but he savored it all the same. His free hand brushed over the spot on her back where he knew the likeness of his patronus was hidden, and a small shiver passed through her. After a moment, he drew back to meet her eyes. "Thank you for coming to watch."

"I needed to know what I'd be helping you brag about." Narcissa pressed another kiss to his cheek and then reached for his hand, giving it a pull in the direction from which they'd come. "Go get changed before they start missing you. I'll save you a spot at supper."

They emerged from beneath the stands in time for Lucius to be swept into a crowd of cheering Slytherins, and he watched Narcissa slip off toward the castle.

***

Lucius—

I admit I was thrilled to receive your letter, though I should probably be telling you it was a mistake to make such a huge decision without conferring with your father and myself first. If he should inquire, tell him I thoroughly chastised you for how irresponsible it was, etc. For now, though, I've done as you asked and refrained from mentioning it to him so that you can make the announcement yourself the next time you're home. I found out too late about your last visit; I'd gone out with my sister and your cousin Avalon—both of whom send you their warmest regards—and was highly frustrated with your father for not warning me so that I could see you.

He's also informed me that you've become aware of his illness. I'm so sorry that you had to find out in such a terrible way. I tried to persuade him to tell you before you left for school, but he didn't want to drop that type of burden on you in your last year—I believe he was hoping that the potions he's taking to treat the symptoms would hold off the condition's progress long enough that there would be no reason to worry until after you graduate. Try not to be too angry with him, if you can.

Returning to a more pleasant topic: I've attached the ring. I had it made to your specifications, and I'm certain Narcissa will be thrilled with it. I wish I could see her reaction in person, but that's neither here nor there. I'm incredibly happy for you.

Love,

Mother

***

Lucius shook his head as he reread the note that had accompanied the small package he'd received that morning. He appreciated his mother's enthusiasm and willingness to assist in procuring the ring, but he knew he needed to speak with his father sooner rather than later to inform Abraxas of the engagement. She's never been wonderful at keeping secrets. It's a wonder she never mentioned how ill he is.

Lucius paused, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Don't focus on that, right now, he ordered himself. From what Mother says, Father wouldn't want me dwelling on it, either. It's not like there's anything I can do to help, at the moment. He tried not to let his thoughts linger on how powerless that realization made him feel and how he loathed feeling powerless more than any other state of being. Instead, he flicked open the box that had been wrapped and delivered along with his mother's note and examined the ring within. The band was white gold, and the large central diamond was flanked on either side by a smaller though equally-bright stone. He hoped his mother was correct in anticipating Narcissa's reaction. The last thing I want to do is disappoint her.

"Let me see it."

Lucius glanced up from the ring. He'd forgotten that the others had accompanied him back to their dormitory to deposit their Quidditch gear, and he saw now that Walden was eyeing the box attentively while Augustus was rummaging through his school bag across the room. Lucius held out the box, and Walden leaned closer, raising a brow as he inspected the ring. He nodded approvingly.

"Well done."

Lucius rolled his eyes. "What the hell do you know about rings?"

"More than you think. My aunt dragged me along when she was sure her boyfriend was planning to propose, thinking he'd ask me or my sister what she liked. He ended up getting something fairly close to the opposite of what she wanted, and for a few days, I would've really rather been out on a mission than under that roof."

"Would you two hurry? We're already late."

Lucius glanced to Augustus, who dropped the bag he'd been examining to the floor beside his bed and strode from the room without another word. When he'd gone, Lucius frowned, looking to Walden.

"He's incredibly pleasant."

"He'll get over it. I do feel a bit bad for him, though." Walden shrugged. "I mean, at least before, he had you to bond with over how irritating you both found me and Lenore. Now you're paired off, and it doesn't help that it's with Narcissa."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucius's frown deepened, and Walden stared at him for a long moment with an expression that suggested he'd just been asked to explain a simple addition problem to a dense child.

"You honestly haven't noticed, have you?" he asked at last.

"Noticed what?" Though he attempted to keep the edge from his tone, Lucius doubted he'd succeeded. He was relatively certain he knew what Walden would tell him, but a small part of him hoped that being unreceptive to the news could keep it from being true.

Walden sighed heavily. "It doesn't matter. You two have been marked. He knows he doesn't have a chance. C'mon, we are already late."

Walden started for the door, and Lucius followed, closing the box and slipping it into his pocket as he did his best to forget what he'd just learned.