Revenge Is Sweet

"I need to ask you something."

Bellatrix looked up from her book. "Certainly, Narcissa. Sit."

Narcissa sat down at the library table next to her sister. "Will you be honest with me?"

"Of course," she frowned. "I'm always honest with you."

Narcissa took a deep breath. "Have you known about the bet all along?"

"No," Bellatrix said with a sigh. "Just since yesterday. Andromeda told me. I'm really sorry, Narcissa. I truly thought Lucius cared about you."

"He does," Narcissa smiled. "I know he does. But you know how convincing Rodolphus can be."

Bellatrix nodded reluctantly. "Yes, I know."

"And Lucius takes great pride in his reputation, so he would have risen to the challenge without a second thought." Narcissa paused and gave her sister a serious look. "I need your permission for something."

"Permission?" Bellatrix asked in confusion. "For what?"

"To get revenge on Rodolphus."

"Rodolphus? Not Lucius?"

Narcissa grinned. "Oh, I have my plans for Lucius, but the bet was Rodolphus' idea - I'm sure of it."

"Why do you need my permission?" Bellatrix asked.

"Because I know how you feel about Rodolphus - don't deny it," she added as Bellatrix opened her mouth to argue. "I want your permission to go ahead with my plan... and..." she paused, "and I want your help."

Bellatrix thought for a moment, then said, "You have it."

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Lucius sat by the fire in the Common Room, a frown on his face, his eyes troubled. He was waiting for Rodolphus to come down so they could talk. There was no way he could continue on with the bet if there was to be any hope with Narcissa. He even had three hundred galleons in his pocket, ready to be forfeited. They weighed down his robes, like this whole affair was weighing on his heart.

Where is he? Good gods, I just want to get this over with, before Narcissa finds out.

"Good morning, Lucius." Rodolphus strode into the room with a cocky grin on his face. "Have a good night?"

Lucius stood up with a scowl. "We need to talk. About the - "

"Lucius!"

He spun around to see Narcissa descending the staircase from the girls' dormitory. She ran across the room and launched herself into his arms, kissing him square on the mouth and knocking every thought from his head, except the thought of her. He began to return her kiss, but she pulled back slightly and looked up into his face. "Follow my lead," she whispered against his lips, a frightening glint in her eyes.

She stepped away from him, taking his hand in hers and maintaining eye contact. Raising her voice slightly, she said, "I had a wonderful time last night, Lucius."

Lucius made a valiant attempt to conceal his confusion and go along with whatever game she was playing. "So did I," he replied, keeping his voice steady and pasting a grin on his face. "It was wonderful."

Rodolphus cleared his throat loudly. "Good morning, Narcissa."

Narcissa turned around with red cheeks. "Good morning, Rodolphus," she replied with an embarrassed smile.

She really is a good actress, thought Lucius with admiration. Whatever she was on about with this whole thing, she was playing the part to perfection.

Rodolphus gave Lucius a meaningful look. "Apparently you two had a very good night," he said.

Narcissa laughed - giggled, actually - when has Narcissa ever giggled? Lucius thought - and her blush deepened.

Rodolphus' eyebrows shot to his hairline. "Are you telling me that you two, er... you know?"

"Rodolphus!" she scolded, glancing coyly at Lucius. "Don't make me say it!"

Lucius swallowed suddenly and began to choke. "Narcissa," he breathed between coughs, "what..."

She squeezed his hand in warning, crushing his fingers. Bloody hell, she's strong! He suppressed a wince and simply smiled.

Rodolphus looked like he'd swallowed a mouthful of dragon dung. "I... er, well... congratulations?"

Lucius' stomach hurt from holding in his laughter. "Thanks, mate."

Narcissa sighed and gazed up into Lucius' face. "We're just so happy, aren't we?"

"Lucius," Rodolphus ground out, "may I speak with you... privately?"

Narcissa's eyes widened innocently. "Oh, come now, Rodolphus! Surely it isn't anything you can't say in front of me! Lucius and I don't have any secrets, do we, Lucius?"

Lucius was beginning to feel supremely uncomfortable. "Er... it's nothing important, Narcissa, I'm sure. Why don't you go on down to breakfast and I'll be there in a minute?"

Narcissa looked hurt. "Oh. Alright, then. If you're sure. I thought we would go down together, though." Her chin began to quiver and her eyes begged him for an explanation. Lucius couldn't tell if this was a part of her act or if it was real, but he didn't have a chance to find out.

"Narcissa! There you are!" Bellatrix entered the Common Room and headed straight for her sister. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Andromeda's really upset about something and she won't tell me what it is. You have to come and get her to talk." She grabbed Narcissa's free hand and pulled her towards the door.

Narcissa nodded and let go of Lucius' hand. "See you at breakfast?" she asked, her eyes pleading.

"Yes. Yes, of course," he replied, still unsure if she were really upset at him or not. "I'll be down there in a few minutes."

She gave him a slight smile and a small wave before following her sister out of the room.

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"Was she serious?" Rodolphus demanded.

Lucius hesitated. Should I continue on with this madcap plan of hers? I have no idea what she wants me to do! He nodded slowly. "Very serious."

Rodolphus glared at him. "You shagged Narcissa? Last night?"

"Yes," Lucius retorted. "I shagged her. Last night. So I win." This is complete madness.

Rodolphus gave him one last searching look before digging into his pockets and handing over a small pouch. "It's all there. Count it if you must."

Lucius slid the pouch into the pocket of his robes. "No need. I trust you."

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Narcissa waited outside the Common Room, tapping her foot impatiently. If Lucius messes this up, I swear I'll kill him.

Time passed slowly until the entrance finally slid open and Lucius and Rodolphus stepped out into the corridor. Narcissa reached out and grabbed Lucius' arm, pulling him towards her. When he was close enough, she put one hand on the back of his neck and pulled him in for their second kiss of the day. Lucius came willingly, returning her kiss with intensity. Narcissa fought to maintain her focus, and waited until she saw Rodolphus walk around the corner and out of sight before stepping back.

Lucius looked dazed. "Narcissa, I - "

She punched him square in the jaw.

"Damn it, Narcissa! What the hell was that for?" he shouted angrily, clutching the side of his face.

"You are such an ass, Lucius Malfoy!" she shouted back. "How could you do this to me? Make a bet that you could shag me by the end of the month? Did you think I wouldn't find out? Did you think I was that stupid?"

Narcissa had never been so angry in her life. The pain she had been feeling last night had channeled itself into blind rage, and she could feel herself losing the control she had fought so hard to keep. Without thinking, she pulled back her arm to let him have it once more.

He grabbed her fist before it could make contact with his jaw again. "Narcissa, please let me explain!"

"No!" she cried. "You lied to me, Lucius! All those nice words about not believing the rumors! I thought you cared about me, but you don't! You think I'm just a dirty slut like everyone else does!" Angry tears were streaming down her cheeks, but she didn't even bother to wipe them away. Last night she had been ready to forgive him and move on, but seeing him this morning had brought out the fury inside of her.

"Narcissa, I'm - "

"Just shut up, Lucius. I don't want to hear anything else from you. You're just like the rest of them, and you can go to hell for all I care." Wrenching her hand from his grasp, she stomped down the corridor and out of sight.

She made it all the way to the library before remembering her plan. Bloody hell. Now what? She wiped her face on her sleeve and then marched back down to the dungeons.

Lucius was still standing where she'd left him and looked up in surprise. "Narcissa! I - "

"Don't say anything or I'll hit you again," she commanded. "Just listen. First of all, I want those three hundred galleons that you won. They're rightfully mine." It didn't make much sense, but Lucius didn't argue - he just reached into his pocket and handed over a small coin pouch. She took it and kept talking. "Second of all, we're going to spend the next week pretending to be in love," she spat out bitterly, "or else Rodolphus will get wise and want his money back. Third, you're going to help me get revenge on Rodolphus, because I know he's the one who started this."

Lucius just looked at her like she was insane, but she didn't care. "Do I make myself clear, Malfoy?"

He nodded. "Perfectly."

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Lucius wanted to kick himself. How did I get myself into this mess? Oh, right. Because I'm an idiot.

How was he going to fix this? There was no way that Narcissa would forgive him. He felt his heart being ripped out as he watched her disappear down the corridor for the second time.

There has to be a way to make this right. There just has to be.