Hey, Soul Sister [Lucius/Narcissa]

Chapter Thirty-Four

A/N: Image credit to my friend justforpractice on FFN.
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Lucius had stayed at the Blacks' for as long as he could manage  without it being considered improper; he had no desire to leave Narcissa  alone with her parents sooner than necessary, and he'd been relieved to  finally have time with her that wouldn't be interrupted by their  classmates, observed though it had been by Cygnus and Druella from the  moment supper had begun.  Before he'd left, he'd secured permission for  her to visit his home the following day in order to be formally  introduced to her future in-laws.  Lucius was certain that his parents'  presence was the only reason the visit was to be allowed, but he didn't  mind as long as it gave him and Narcissa the chance to see one another.

            At least my parents are likely to give us more than a few moments alone, he  thought as he sat across from his father in the lounge, drumming his  fingers against the arm of his chair as he awaited Narcissa's arrival.

            "Your mother says the visit with the Blacks was an interesting one," said Abraxas over the rim of the glass he held.

             "That's putting it lightly," said Lucius, bitterness saturating his  tone.  "I knew they were difficult, but I was still unprepared.  What  kind of parent insults and belittles their child and accuses her of  lying so easily? I thought perhaps they'd at least attempt to behave in  front of company."

            "What reason have they to behave?"  Abraxas shrugged.  "They don't plan to change, so they won't bother  pretending.  They see nothing wrong with the way they treat their  children.  I'd like to tell you there's hope for improvement, but I know  that family, Lucius.  Cygnus Black is about as likely to start being  kind to his daughters as I am to sprout wings.  He hasn't been entirely  secretive about his disciplinary habits in our circles."

              Lucius frowned.  The words twisted something within him, and he found  his disdain for Cygnus growing, which he hadn't known was possible.   "What do you mean?"

            "It's not my place to explain it to you," said Abraxas.  "I'd suggest discussing it with your fiancée."

            "Father," Lucius began, his frown deepening, but Abraxas cut him off with a shake of his head.

            "Speak with Narcissa."

            Lucius drew in a long breath and let it out again.  I suppose she wouldn't want us discussing her family's secrets without her, he  told himself in an attempt to let go of his frustration.  He found  himself grateful that while he and his father had their differences,  they weren't the sort that made him loathe or fear being home.

            "I'm glad you and Mother don't think we're mad for moving quickly," he said at last.

             "When you're certain about loving someone, no amount of time is going  to change that.  I see no reason to waste more time than necessary,  knowing what the two of you do."

            Lucius began to relax  slightly in his chair.  Though they still disagreed on other topics, he  appreciated his father's willingness to be reasonable about the matter  of marriage.

            "You should tell Cygnus and Druella  that," he said, his stomach turning at the memory of how Narcissa's  parents had reacted to the news.  "They admitted thinking we were  rushing into this to cover up having a child." When Abraxas raised a  brow, Lucius rolled his eyes.  "Of course not, Father.  They don't seem  too fond of the idea of soulmates.  They don't act like they believe  it's possible that we are."