A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love
Prologue

"I don't know about this, Cissy," Lily Evans said. She folded a green nightgown expertly. "I just can't see Lucius Malfoy inviting you to his home without Etienne."

Narcissa Fletcher shrugged. "I suppose it has something to do with the upcoming wedding." She sighed happily. "Oh, Lily, I'm so happy. I know that Lucius is probably a Death Eater, but Etienne is so different. I just know we're going to be happy."

"I like Etienne, I really do. But I think you should tell him about Lucius' letter," Lily said. She sat down on her bed heavily. "Something doesn't feel right."

Narcissa laughed musically. "I thought you didn't believe in premonitions. Thought it was a lot of rubbish, remember?"

"That's true, but Cissy, I can't shake this feeling. The letter said not to bring Etienne, but suppose you bring one of the boys. James or Sirius."

Narcissa shook her head. "That would never work. Lucius is a Death Eater, he works for..." she shrugged. "You-Know-Who," she finally said. "James and Sirius are going to be Aurors after graduation this June. I couldn't bring them."

"Then Remus, Peter, even Severus. Please, Cissy," Lily begged, "don't go alone."

Narcissa shrugged again. "I'm sure Fiona will be there. Lucius wouldn't do anything."

Lily still looked troubled. "I wish you would reconsider. Lucius Malfoy is dangerous. I wouldn't trust him with an inch of boomslang skin."

Narcissa sighed. "I don't trust him either, but I have to form some sort of compromise if I'm to put up with him. And it's not just me," she said quietly. "Gus is dating Fiona."

Lily frowned. "It's not the same thing. Fiona is a girl. I get the feeling that girls don't matter all that much in the Malfoy family."

Narcissa shook her head. "Fi is always complaining that she's being overlooked by Lucius. He never wants to buy her the proper things for school and whatnot. I believe that Lucius is not attached to her, but Etienne adores her."

"As do I." Lily tutted. "Those Malfoys. Lucius was in Slytherin, and Fiona and Etienne are both in Ravenclaw. They're quite different, aren't they?"

"Yes," said Narcissa gratefully. "That's what I've been trying to tell you since I began dating Etienne. He's not like Lucius."

"Cissy, I don't think you should go to Malfoy Manner by yourself. Etienne is away in London for the holidays. Fiona can't protect you there."

Narcissa reached out and gave her a friend a swift hug. "Lil, trust me. You have a good Easter, all right?"

Lily sighed. "All right. But promise me that you will owl me the moment you leave that house."

"I promise."

* * *

Narcissa sat on the train and looked out of the window. Lily had always been protective of her, since the day they had met seven years ago at the beginning of their schooling.

"Black, Sirius!" Professor McGonagall announced. A sturdy boy with thick, coal black hair strode up to the stool and sat down arrogantly.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Narcissa waited, terrified as she watched three students get sorted into Slytherin and two into Hufflepuff.

"Evans, Lily!"

"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat. A small girl with a stream of fire red ran towards the Gryffindor table.

"Fletcher, Narcissa!"

She jumped and self-consciously made her way to the stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head.

"Hmmm," growled the hat into her ear, "you're quite an intelligent girl, and yet I see a streak of courage that will one day serve you well. The place for you, I am sure, is GRYFFINDOR!"

Narcissa sat next to 'Evans, Lily', and smiled nervously at those around her.

"Hi, I'm Lily Evans," she chirped. "This is Sirius Black and he's really annoying." She pointed to the black haired boy.

"Sod off," Sirius Black returned, grinning.

"I'm Narcissa Fletcher," Narcissa replied shyly, and turned back to watch the rest of the ceremony.

Narcissa watched as Gryffindor gained Remus Lupin. Her eyes were drawn to the next boy, a pale blond haired figure.

"Malfoy, Etienne" became a Ravenclaw, and Narcissa promptly forgot him as the Gryffindor table gained Peter Pettigrew and James Potter.

"Are you a half-blood or Muggle, or full-blooded?" James Potter asked after sitting.

"I'm a Muggle," Lily replied. "How 'bout you, Cissy?" Her emerald eyes were friendly and Narcissa knew that she had found a friend.

"I'm full-blood. My brother Mundungus is coming here next year," she replied.

"Mundungus?" Remus Lupin asked. "That's a weird name. I'm half-blood."

"Well, I'm a full-blood and Sirius is a short name that my parents thought would describe my personality."

"I think they were a bit off," Remus replied.

"You can say that again," James Potter said, grinning. He pushed his black-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I'm also a full-blooded wizard."

"I'm a Muggle," small Peter Pettigrew revealed, eagerly hoping to join the conversation.

From that day forward, they'd all been friends, the six of them. When she and Lily were tired of hanging out with the boys, they'd go off by themselves. When Lily and James had started dating, little felt changed. Etienne eventually became part of the group in their fifth year when he and Narcissa began dating.

They had had seven great years at Hogwarts and Narcissa had known it was just the beginning.

* * *

Narcissa stared at Lucius in horror. "You're insane," she cried. "How can you never think I'd entertain such a thought?"

Lucius only smirked at her. "You may be beautiful, but you were not blessed with brains. That is painfully obvious." He grabbed her arm. "I am not merely content with just asking. I know what that answer would be."

"Then what?" Narcissa tried to pull her arm away. "What's going on?"

"I just think it would be in your best interest if you would join me in matrimony rather than my brother."

"And I think that you're wrong," Narcissa snapped. She wrenched her arm from his grasp. She tossed her blonde hair back and gave him one last venomous glare before turning. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard his cold voice.

"And how are your parents? Aaron and Barbara, I believe." Narcissa froze, her heart beating rapidly. She slowly turned.

"What have you done to my parents?" she asked unable to control the terror that crept into her voice.

"Nothing..yet," Lucius replied. "Whether or not they make it home safely is entirely up to you."

"Why?" Narcissa whispered, horrified. "Why are you willing to go such lengths? Why not just find someone willing to marry you without threatening her?"

"Because my wife will be the most beautiful, charming and sophisticated woman that the wizarding world has to offer. Her family line will be impeccable and she will be a pureblood. I have searched for three years and I believe that you are this woman."

"You're insane," Narcissa said softly.

"No, I'm not. I only want the best, and I have decided that you are the best. And I always get what I want." Lucius's smirk turned into a cruel smile. "So what is to be? Your parents or you?"

Narcissa's hands began to shake. "I will never love you."

"I don't want your love. I want a son, there is a difference."

"You will let my parents go?" she asked, wanting reassurance.

"I will do them no harm."

"I can't do this," Narcissa cried. "I love Etienne. How could you do this to your own brother?"

"Etienne is weak. He does not see the benefits of having the wizarding world be purged of mudbloods. He would be willing to join that fool Dumbledore's side rather than my Lord's. Etienne is no brother of mine." His eyes hardened. "The time is dwindling, my dear. Your decision."

Narcissa glared at him, her azure eyes full of ice. "I will marry you."