His Father\'s Eyes

I looked at my watch: 10:14. Lucius and I had agreed to meet at ten. Was he standing me up? Did it really matter? Our relationship just about as reliable as a cheese cauldron... It seemed like we couldn't go five minutes without arguing about something. The worst part of my situation was that which I had not yet told him - that which I had to tell him tonight. It was going to be a disaster, I knew that from the start, but he had to know. I couldn't go on with this alone.

He emerged from the shadows of the night. "Narcissa." My name rolled off his tongue so well that it made me sick.

"Why did you want to meet me here, Lucius?" I snapped. He wouldn't use his charm to win me over again.

"Narcissa, my dear," he breathed, letting his knuckles run over my cheek, "do you not wish to see me?"

I said not a word. I couldn't read his expression from the darkness, but I was sure that he was waiting for me to fall into his arms like I usually did.

"Is something wrong?" His voice was filled with forced concern.

"Yes." My voice became weak and caught in my throat. I couldn't tell him just yet. I backed away from him; his hand fell into darkness. "Why did you want to meet me here?"

A most wicked smile spread over his face as she stepped into the light of the streetlamp above us. His long blond hair fell down over his shoulders so dramatically, as if he were expecting to meet the Minister. His cold eyes glistened in the lamplight. "Why, my love, I wanted to see you, nothing more than that."

The way he spoke made my blood run cold. "But why here" Of all places, why here?" I gestured at the dark brick walls and cobblestone sidewalk of the alleyway. What a peculiar place to meet, well, not for Lucius... He was mysterious and it wasn't all that odd for him to be seen in a dark alleyway, exchanging dark objects that could be used on unsuspecting Muggles. I, on the other hand, stood out like a penguin in the Sahara. I was not but a child yet. My parents loved Lucius for everything he was: a handsome man, much too old for me, with a lot of money, and simply no love in his heart.

He took a step toward me. "You should know by now that there aren't always reasons for what I do," he whispered in my ear. He placed his hand on my arm; his long fingers grazed my skinned ever so gently.

"Lucius, I don't want to be here," I said patiently. Little did he know, on the inside my heart was breaking. I didn't want to be with him, but at the same time I knew I needed to be with him. It's what my father wished, and I couldn't disobey him. It was what Lucius wanted. I was afraid to disobey him. That was how my problem came into affect - because I was too terrified to say no to him.

I saw a flicker of anger in his eyes and braced myself for what was to come. When nothing did, I looked up at him expectantly.

"Why?" He talked ever so sweetly, only to cover up for his cold eyes that felt like knives piercing at my face. "You're perfectly safe here; you're with me."

"I - I have to tell you something," I whispered, staring at my feet in an attempt to avoid looking him in the eye.

He lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. "What is it, my dear Narcissa?"

I couldn't tell you what I was thinking in the few seconds that followed. All I know was that my heart froze and his eyes drilled into mine.

"I'm pregnant." I said just loud enough for him to hear.

For a moment, I thought he was at a loss for words. But then his hold body began to shake with fury.

"Now, Lucius, it'll be OK. I have it all figured out," I began to blabber. "If we just -"

The back of his hand met my face with a loud smack and an intense sting. I turned away from him, my fingers lingering over where he had hit me.

"You're a dirty little slut," he sneered. When I turned to look at him through tear-filled eyes, all I could see was darkness.

My legs crumbled beneath me and I buried my face in my hands. "No," I sobbed. "No. No. No." My cries were soon drowned out by anger-filled tears.

He was vile and cruel. But I wouldn't let him get the best of me. I wouldn't do what he wanted. I wouldn't kill my unborn child. I knew that was what he really wanted. But my sweet little child would live, raised single-handedly by his mother. The poor child would never need to know what kind of monster his father was. He would never be tempted to grow up and turn into his father.

"Narcissa, get up," Lucius said, emerging from the shadows once again.

I remained on the ground, tears flowing freely from my eyes.

"Get up, you silly girl!" he snarled. "I said-" He whipped out his wand. "Imperio!"

Stand up. Uncontrollably, I stood up, my legs moving mechanically. Stop crying. The tears stopped even though I wished they wouldn't.

"We shall be married as soon as possible," he said. It was not a proposal; it was an order. "No heir of mine shall be born out of wedlock."

It was settled. We married a week later. No bridesmaids. No groomsmen. Just our families and the priest. I gave birth to a baby boy, just what Lucius hoped for, a suitable heir. I remain in my room everyday unless Lucius wishes to go to a family outing, which often involves smiling and remaining silent on my part.

But I won't let Draco, my baby, my only son, turn into a monster like Lucius. I stare at him in his bassinet, looking at his motionless weak little body. No child that peaceful could possibly turn into the man who caused me so much pain. He'll take after me in his heart, even if he has the eyes of his father.