Hey, Soul Sister [Lucius/Narcissa]

Chapter Thirty-Five

A/N: Warnings for mentions of (magical, Cygnus-related) abuse and for non-graphic nudity. A million thanks to my friend justforpractice on FFN for helping me write what follows in a way that's hopefully still T-rated. (Read her work, she's wonderful.)

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"Tell us about yourself. Please."

Narcissa looked to Lady Malfoy—Seraphina, Sera, as she'd instructed Narcissa to call her—to find her smiling, her grey eyes kind. While any form of question Narcissa received at her own table would've been a thinly-veiled attempt at probing her for useful information, she sensed no malice in her hostess's address. Sera seemed genuinely curious about her, and Narcissa appreciated the willingness of Lucius's parents to treat her so warmly.

"There isn't much to tell apart from what you already know," said Narcissa, setting her fork down at the edge of her plate. "I'm the youngest of my parents' daughters, and I'm a year behind Lucius at Hogwarts. I'm a Prefect."

"That's all splendid," said Sera with a nod, "but I mean about you personally, dear, not about your credentials. What are your interests?"

"Oh. Well... I enjoy reading and music."

"She has a beautiful singing voice," said Lucius from beside her.

"I'm not sure I'd go that far," said Narcissa, "but thank you." She smiled at him, and she felt him rest his hand on her knee beneath the table and give it a reassuring squeeze.

"Do you play any instruments?" asked Sera. Narcissa shook her head, and Sera glanced to her son. "I'm sure Lucius would be willing to teach you the piano, if you're ever so inclined."

"I'd love to," said Lucius with a nod.

"Sera," said Abraxas, shaking his head, "let them eat. My apologies, Miss Black—she gets carried away, at times." He glanced to his wife, and the hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Thank you, Lord Malfoy, but it's all right," said Narcissa. "I'm glad for the conversation."

She reached for her fork once again and resumed eating the pasta the Malfoys' elf had prepared, and as the meal progressed, Narcissa found the tension she'd arrived with easing considerably. She was certain that had quite a bit to do with Lucius's touch—his hand remained on her knee for the duration of the meal, and his parents didn't appear to notice, as he continued eating with the other—and the rather pleasant atmosphere. When everyone had finished eating, Lucius excused himself and Narcissa from the table, and no one protested, much to Narcissa's disbelief. She was beginning to warm up to the idea of being at Malfoy Manor. She was rather overwhelmed by the idea that his family was so much more welcoming than hers and hadn't taken the opportunity of having her trapped at the table to question and belittle her, and the fact that they hadn't minded allowing Lucius and Narcissa to leave to spend time alone was one she couldn't process.

She followed Lucius through the ornately-decorated halls and to the second floor, and he opened a door that led into a bedroom. Narcissa eyed the deep green blankets on the large, four-poster bed and the matching chaise seated in front of the currently-dormant hearth. She glanced over bookshelves and found herself smiling at the sight of them and at the fact that she was being allowed—being trusted—to see all of this. Narcissa's heart pounded at the knowledge that she was actually here, standing in Lucius's room. He shut the door behind them, and she moved close to wrap her arms around him.