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Chapter Text

Narcissa rolled her sleeve up to reveal the wound on her left forearm. All the things she had agreed to do were because she didn't want to taint herself with the Dark Mark but now the scars marked by the fangs that had bit her, gleamed in the moonlight. She didn't know who did this it to her. She knew it didn't matter anymore. The damage was done.

Immediately, the cold breeze of the forest hit her skin, sending chills up to her neck. The Dark Lord would not protect her from this cold. Neither would he protect her from the Aurors surrounding her.

“Hands in the air," shouted an Auror from her right. She vainly rolled her sleeve down again. "No wand movement.”

"I don't have a wand.” Narcissa shouted back. It was true. She had failed miserably and now she didn't even have a wand in her defence. Although she had a feeling she could take down the men with her bare hands, she needed her wand to concentrate on her magic. She knew more about being a witch than the recent revelation of what she had become.

"Turn around. Slowly.” The next order came.

She had no choice but to comply. As soon as the Auror’s eyes fell upon her, he inhaled a gasp. The shock might be less because of who she was and more because his illuminated wand must have shone the red river of blood trickling from her mouth. Then came another gasp with the realisation that the blood wasn't hers. The Aurors spotted the pale body laying by her feet. Narcissa wasn't sorry for the person’s death nor was she sorry for quenching her thirst.

“Mrs Malfoy, we have to take you in for investigation. Comply accordingly. You have the right to remain silent." The voice that was firmly shouting moments ago, came out shaky.

Narcissa smirked. A few days ago, she wouldn't have been so keen on killing anyone. The sight of blood would have made her throw up. Perhaps that's why she was sent here. The taste of flesh now hung heavily in the air, making her salivate in her mouth. The more the Aurors around her, with blood flowing in their veins, the more she wanted to drink. However, now that she had drained the man at her feet, who was probably sent to do her job, she didn't have the urge to attack anymore. That being said, if anyone brings her to harm's way, she would not hesitate to defend herself.

Narcissa could sense the Auror’s heartbeat. Could sense all of their heartbeats, drumming in her ears loudly just as all the other sounds which were also very clear. Their breaths, the crackling of leaves beneath their feet, the swoosh of winds through the boughs. There were creatures lurking in the forest, hiding from the human crowd. Narcissa wondered if she was alone, would they have hidden since she wasn't a human anymore? However, unlike them, she was exposed to the human eyes, not any humans, these were the worst kind. The kind that would show no mercy.

Narcissa knew she would be able to take down all of them at once. It was a feeling that had come to her after a few long days. She felt powerful enough now. The question was: did she want to?

Without meaning to, she took a step towards the closest Auror. The man, fearing for his life from of a slender woman in the woods, flinched and sent a spark of light through the space between them. Narcissa was quick enough to dodge as well as see it hit one of his own men. The man crumpled on the ground with a cracking sound that reverberated through the woods. Narcissa watched what her fate would have been. It brought a hearty smile on her face, revealing her newly grown sharp teeth to her audience. The ropes shot through all the Auror's wands and before she could react, she was tied down. She writhed and used her full strength to cut through half the ropes on her body. She screamed in rage only for a moment before the red light of the Stupefy spell flashed before her eyes from all directions and sent her plunging into the darkness.

When Narcissa opened her eyes, her long lashes sticking to each other, forcing her back to sleep. Her headache was not helping either. Her body was tingling and tickling at places and she didn't know why. Was sunlight touching her? No, there was no light. There were two pairs of eyes watching over her in the dark room. Narcissa jerked awake. “Who are you?" she asked and realised her body wasn't tied anymore, only her wrists to the chair.

“Mrs Malfoy, my name is Kingsley Shacklebolt, Auror, and my second, Stebbins. We will be here to assist you.” said the man with purple robes which were dull enough to hide in the dark but Narcissa’s eyes were different now. She could see them as clearly as if it were daytime.

“Assist me?" Narcissa huffed.

“Yes, Mrs Malfoy," said Shacklebolt. "We're here to help.”

"Oh? Should I thank you? Kiss your feet while we're at it?” said Narcissa with a cooing tone that strongly resembled Bellatrix.

Shacklebolt breathed in with indignation. “You do not seem well. If you require any assistance with your health we are ready to send you a healer." 

No Healer could cure her now. Narcissa stared at him without providing an answer. Her sore throat was a different matter altogether.

“If you do not, we shall proceed with our inquiry." Shacklebolt waved his wand and the quill sitting on the wooden desk between them, stood up, dancing on the paper like a dog promised a walk. “As you might know, we have arrested you on the accounts of murdering Amycus Carrow. The blood from his body was drained. Would you like to paint the scenario of how you did it?”

Narcissa smirked in the dark, wondering if they could see it but then she realised, they must know about her or else why would the investigation be conducted in a dark room? “Why don't you tell me how I did it?" She challenged them.

"Mrs Malfoy, we're interrogating you. It's not the other way around.”

“You're not getting any answers from me in that case. Why don't you guess and I will tell you if you're correct." Any moment now, Lucius could be coming, Narcissa hoped. If the Dark Lord wouldn't save her, her husband would. The old fool loved her and never stopped to doubt if she loved him the same. Until then, she would have to kill time or in the worst case, kill people.

“Alright then, these are the facts we have. You were covered in the victim's blood while he was drained of it. Which could mean you had sucked it out of his body. The only known creatures able to do that are vampires. The only mystery remains is, are you one?” Narcissa stared at the Auror, speaking out the accurate theory.

“What proof do you have?" She straightened her back more even though the dizziness made her head seem heavy.

“For that we need to check your body for any marks.”

“You're not allowed to touch me." Narcissa snarled.

“My assistant, a woman, will do the procedure, madam. You do not have to worry about ruining your honour." Shacklebolt said and stood up to stand back in the room, turning away in the name of chivalry. Narcissa’s eyes only left him when he called his assistant out, "Stebbins, if you may.”

Stebbins was a short woman with short hair. Narcissa always liked short hair but never for her own. Stebbins walked behind Narcissa and moved her long hair away from her back. The brush of the woman's hot fingers made Narcissa shiver. It was the opposite actually, the woman wasn't that warm, Narcissa was cold. She had no blood left in her body, only poison. The thought of it, made her wonder how her own blood would have tasted like. Would it taste the same as all the people she had laid her hands on? Oh, how the poor little Amycus had whimpered in her arms as she had drunk the coppery liquid flowing from his neck.

“No bite mark on the neck," Stebbins called out to Shacklebolt’s back, a little too close to Narcissa’s ears, making her wince without grace. Stebbins noticed it and smirked maliciously. Narcissa hated it when people found her in a vulnerable state. Not everyone was deserving of seeing her like this. She twisted her wrists in the ropes. Those must be enchanted since Narcissa was strong enough to cut through the bonds used on her before unless…

“How long was I out?" Narcissa whispered to the Auror.

“About a day and a half," Stebbins said with a clear voice. She was still close, checking for fang marks on her shoulders.

A day and a half, it all made sense. Her sore throat, her head aching like someone had hammered it, her fatigue. This wasn't because of the Stunning spell, she was hungry again –thirsty more like. She had experienced it in the couple days before the arrest. She only had to get used to it to know what she wanted.

Stebbins cut through Narcissa's left sleeve. Her wand traced the light from Narcissa’s shoulder to her elbows, to her forearms. The Auror then knew what she was seeing. She was close enough for Narcissa to recognise the horror in her eyes as they widened. She was too close. There wasn't a moment of time passed between the parting of the Auror’s lips to shout out, “Fangs on forearm!" and Narcissa's mouth moving swiftly to the girl’s neck to bite her.

The girl screamed, her hands going to Narcissa's chest rather than her wand, trying to get herself away but Narcissa sunk deeper. Shacklebolt had her wand pointed towards Narcissa. The spell came soon but Narcissa had drunk enough to unbound herself from the restraints. Turns out, the ropes weren't enchanted after all. They had just established her power had shrunk down, the longer she took to wake up.

Narcissa jumped on the table like a swift fox and leapt on Shacklebolt with her teeth bared. The man had strength in him too. He scrambled out of his grip not long before she had scratched his face deep enough to scar him for a long time. There was a scuffle but she was pushed away by him and slammed on the wall before sliding down to the floor. In a moment, she was on her fours snarling at him but before she could pounce on him like the animal she had become, he stumbled to the windows and pulled the curtains open. The sunlight came in like lightning striking in a dark storm. Fast and harmful.

Narcissa felt like she was on fire. A gut wrenching scream left her throat as the boiling marks started forming all over her body. It felt like her skin was melting and sticking to the floor like a slimy paste when her instincts kicked in and she scrambled under the table, the only shade in the room. She had been in this state for only a few days but the underside of the table was a familiar place. It had always been a safe space for Narcissa to hide in when her parents searched her for a beating or the use of Crutiatus curse over the smallest of mistakes. Years of this torture had made her realise that marriage was the only option to get out of the house. She had promised that she would not find herself under the table or make her son familiar with this surrounding. So she had played the part of a good wife and a good mother. 

Stebbins’ whimpering brought her back to the present. Her skin seemed to cool down and patch up on its own like everything else had healed on her body for the past few days. Everything except the fang marks on her forearm that branded her. Narcissa's heart, which still beat somehow without the blood, was thudding loudly in her chest. Was this her life now? Thirsting for blood and hiding in shadows, scared and alone?

Narcissa saw Shacklebolt’s legs limping to a distance from the table. He knelt down with great difficulty in the sunlight. Narcissa didn't remember hurting his legs. He pointed his wand to her, his face contorted with anger but resembling more to pain. The ropes erupted from the tip of his wand and bound her tightly. That is when she realised, tears were soaking her face. 

She zoned out for the whole time she was placed back on the chair in the dark. Stebbins was taken away. The paperwork was filed in her name. Narcissa didn't follow anything that was said to her even though all the words were audible. The headache was gradually increasing. She didn't feel like moving let alone struggling to free from her bonds. She was left in the dark for hours at a time. The Aurors knew food would do no good to her so they brought her nothing.

The hope of Lucius coming to save her, was diminishing with every minute. What was she even thinking? That coward wouldn't step in the ministry with the allegations of being a Death Eater looming over his head. She only thought he loved her enough to do it. A bit hypocritical on her part since she had never done the same. She couldn't. She had only ever loved one person. A person she couldn't stay together with and therefore, she had broken the relationship up. Moved on from the synchrony that had formed between them. Now, love seemed like a distant thing. Something that she wasn't sure was possible with her rotting heart but Narcissa remembered how it felt.

“Mrs Malfoy, if you please tell us where your wand is, it might help with your case," the Auror with a huge body and blue eyes was talking to her again. It had been three days since her arrest and this was all they did. Ask her questions she didn't want to answer or had no answer for at all. Mrs Malfoy, where is your wand? Mrs Malfoy, why did you kill Mr Carrow? Mrs Malfoy, who bit you?

This was enough. She wanted to get out of here before one more person asked one of those questions again. If Lucius wasn't coming, she was going to make him.

“Mr Moody, I want my husband please,” she said with a hoarse voice.

“Mrs Malfoy, we have been searching for him to send him the news about you. Till then, you may answer the questions presented in front of you," Moody said sternly. She knew about this Auror. Many Death Eaters feared him. The only way to tackle him was to hide her own fears.

“Mr Moody, I will only talk when my husband is here to see me," Narcissa made unflinching contact with those piercing blue eyes. If she was free, she would bite them off his head and chew like one of the candies from Honeydukes.

“We can bring him in when we find him until then-" 

“I'll tell you where he might be." Narcissa sat up straight, however much the ropes provided her to.

Moody wrote down the address Narcissa gave and was out of the room in an instant. They will probably think that they would find Dark Arts stuff in the house she had provided the address of and they were close to arresting Lucius Malfoy. However, the house that sat on the countryside was just what it was: a house in the countryside. A home, one might say. A dream of a peaceful life purchased by a happy couple with a precious child. If Lucius wasn't gullible enough to open his mind to the Dark Lord, the house was a secret known only by the living generation of Malfoys.

It took the Aurors another few hours to return to the room again.

“Mrs Malfoy, your husband is here." informed Moody. He walked to the window to the other side of the room. For a panicked moment, Narcissa thought he was going to let the sunlight in and finish it all in one instance but the window opened on the inside of the building, revealing the people waiting outside. Lucius had his usual proud expression on his face, carrying their sleeping baby, and what it seemed like, he was having an argument with a ministry worker. He turned to the window and his eyes softened at the sight of her. He rushed to the other side and opened the door to enter with a dramatic touch of calling her name.

Narcissa smiled. Only Lucius would think of bringing a child to a dangerous situation like this.

“Why is she tied up?" Lucius spoke with confidence which meant he wasn't being investigated for any illegal items. This was a good sign.

“She is not a stable person anymore." Moody said from the corner without adding any formalities.

“I am her husband," Lucius pressed.

“Lucius, listen to him," Narcissa said. The better he complied, the quicker they could leave.

“No,” he said so suddenly that Draco woke up. “You are a Malfoy. This is hurting our dignity. Hush, Draco, hush." 

"There is a child present here.” Moody tried to convince.

"That's right. Her child. She wouldn't hurt her own child, would she?" Lucius said, straddling the crying baby. The shrieking sounds were never this overbearing for Narcissa.

Moody leaned away from the wall, pulled his wand out and the ropes around Narcissa loosened before vanishing. She took a shaky breath, her hands pressed her aching head. 

Suddenly, the heartbeats of the three people in the room seemed to make her crave for the pumping blood. She looked at the crying baby. Her crying baby. Her maternal instincts forcing her to run to her child but she stayed still in case the other part of her was stronger. 

“Narcissa, my wife," said Lucius. He stepped closer but stayed behind the table. He sat down on his side of the chair as though for an office meeting and not for rescuing his wife. The only explanation for this was that despite his theatrics, he knew what she had become. “How are you?" he asked with a concern that Narcissa didn't believe was real.

“Why didn't you come earlier?” Narcissa asked directly.

“I’d like to have a moment alone with my wife." Lucius demanded, turning around to look at Moody.

"I'm here to protect you if anything goes wrong.” said Moody plainly.

“I have my wand with me," said Lucius briskly. "And you can keep the window open.” He pointed to the glass that peaked at the reception of the Auror's office.

“Those curtains open to sunlight," the Auror mumbled, pointing to the other side of the room, on his way out. He stayed close to the office window, glaring down at the couple he couldn't hear anymore. Narcissa couldn't hear the bustle outside either and she knew the room was enchanted too.

“Were they treating you well?" Lucius asked.

“Why didn't you come earlier?" Narcissa asked again.

"You know how the ministry is. The things I have to hide. The allegations, which as you know, are true.” Lucius whispered furiously. Draco had started crying again and was extending his arms at Narcissa, recognising the all too familiar face. "Hush, now.”

Narcissa's throat was cracking with thirst. She sensed the blood running through her child that was part hers. She dug her nails into the wooden table to constrain herself.

“Not in the ministry, Lucius." Narcissa's voice came out shaky. “In the forest." 

Lucius stared blankly as the baby sobbed. She wanted to hold Draco. Her chest ached to get close to the little body that was the only thing of joy but so did her head ache with the lack of blood. She couldn't trust herself not when Draco's life was on the line.

“You knew where I was," she said. “I gave you all the places I would visit during my mission despite the Dark Lord had asked me to keep it a secret. You knew when I would be returning. When I didn't, you didn't show up,” said Narcissa bitterly.

“I… I sent Carrow looking for you,” he said, justifying his absence.

“I am not Carrow's wife. I'm yours.” Narcissa didn't know if Lucius had the news about Amycus being dead. "Why didn't you come?”

“Because…” Lucius said defensively. "Because I didn't know if you were alive. If I was harmed, Draco would've been orphaned. Think about him.”

Is that why he had brought him here? So that she would not attack him thinking of Draco?

"So you chose to abandon me, the love of your life? To fend for herself in a forest of monsters?" 

“You’re alive, aren't you?" 

"I am a vampire now,” Narcissa yelled at the top of her lungs, making her state truer than ever but also possibly tearing the insides of her throat.

Lucius flinched. He was not going to save her. She had to do everything herself the way she had always done. She hated the one being in control but she was on her own and had to come up with something to stay alive, to get out somehow. More importantly, protect Draco. 

“As long as they don't know…” he pointed at the Aurors outside.

"They know," said Narcissa, a pounding in her ears that deafened her own voice for once. Her nails dug deeper in the table. It was hard resisting the urge. “They already know. And if you don't listen to me, they will know about you too." 

“Is that a threat?" Lucius narrowed his eyes.

“It's a warning," said Narcissa. “I'm going to tell them about the Dark Lord’s plans." 

Lucius inhaled sharply. He turned to look around at the window.

"Don't stare at them, it will only increase suspicion.” Narcissa snapped.

"What plans are you talking about?”

"Look, I know you know more than me. But I am going to tell them what I know. It won't promise his downfall but it will definitely guarantee him failure.”

“Do you not understand the risk you're taking? Whay this could mean for us? For you?" Lucius held the baby close to him. Narcissa was never fooled by his bullshit. Usually it was never reserved for her but now everything has changed. He was asking what this decision meant for himself.

“I’m assuming the Aurors know about the Country house now. Go to the Black House. Ask my mother for the keys for the secret lair of Blacks. She will give you an old key which will break its password with a mixture of Unlocking and Dissendium charm. The keychain is a portkey which will take you to the place if you use the Revealing charm. Take Draco and stay hidden.” Narcissa told her plan.

"What are you going to do?”

"Are you going to take me with you?” Narcissa asked for which she received silence as an answer. Lucius hesitated for a while so Narcissa spoke again. "I know you've said it a lot of times but did you ever love me, Lucius?" 

For a minute, it seemed like he was not going to reply again. “I did." 

That surmised everything. He did love her, that was true but that was also the past. She was not his Narcissa anymore. "'Til death do us part" and she was already dead. She had become something different. Something the ordinary wizards feared, stayed away from. Narcissa could see why.

“Will you stay away from all of this?” she asked for her satisfaction. "Keep Draco safe?”

"I will.” For the coward that he was, Narcissa believed he would stay away from harm or find a way to escape it. She must trust him with her child, more than she trusted herself now. "You ask me if I loved you even when I've shown you numerous times. With birthday parties and anniversary gifts and every trip I planned because you mentioned a place. When it came to prove your loyalty, when there was a chance to prove myself in our community that I do not hold power because of my name but who I am, what did you do, Narcissa? You refused to mark yourself. So I ask you instead. Did you ever love me?”

Where was the harm, now, to tell the truth? What more could go wrong than this?

“No. I never loved you," she answered simply. She had wanted to do this for a long time. Longer than they had been married. Those were the words she wanted to whisper at breakfast table while chewing the bread, during family functions in conversations about the weather, late at night when he buried himself inside of her.

Lucius huffed. Draco was sucking his thumb, lulling himself to sleep. She wanted to distance away from her husband but she did love her child. How could she not? It comes with motherhood even when one does not wish to be a mother. She slowly released the pressure from her arm, dug her nails out of the newly formed crevices of the table and extended it in the direction of her family. She saw Lucius being cautious but she controlled herself. Like always, she hated controlling herself but she was not out of hand like Bellatrix. If her sister was here, stepped in her shoes, Draco would've been long gone. Narcissa traced the small blonde hair on her baby's head, caressed it, perhaps for the last time, watching him sleep.

Lucius stood up abruptly, rubbing his nose in the way he did when he didn't want to cry. He reached the door but decided to turn around for a last look at his wife. “You deserve what is coming for you.” His heartbeat was so normal that Narcissa couldn't put a finger on whether what he was saying was with pain, malice or in understanding.

Narcissa only broke down when he saw Lucius disappear from the reception window. She could walk out on her own now. The door was open, she wasn't bound. But she stayed, wailing for the life she lost. Mourning for the lives she had never wanted but was meant to live.

An hour must've passed when Moody decided to come back in with another assistant. She was bound back as soon as he sat at the table.

“Before we start, I have to inform you that you will now be accounted for attacking an on duty Auror and two murders." Narcissa looked at Moody, with confusion that hid her fear. "Stebbins is dead,” he informed. 

Good. That only meant they hadn't found the body of the first two people she murdered before Carrow. “Do I still get her blood?" she asked casually. 

Moody opened the file, ignoring her arrogant question. “We have some questions. It's time to hold your part of the bargain." 

It was actually a time to ignore whatever happened next. She would give the information she had and find a way to leave. There was really no need to answer their useless questions. 

Narcissa looked out at the bustle near the reception when she spotted the woman, nose buried in a file. That is when her heart dropped from her chest. It was a familiar face. Too familiar. She hadn't seen in a long time but remembered every detail of it. The short hair, the curve of the brows, the mole that disappeared in the dimple when the girl smiled. She had ached for this face in her bed even when her husband was sleeping beside her. It was too difficult to pay attention to the Auror in front of her now. For the first time in days, she could drown out the voices at her will. Everything else seemed so unimportant and distant. The person beyond the glass was the only thing that mattered. 

“Mrs Malfoy, point me to the area you last remember being in.” Moody had opened a map of some forest. Narcissa didn't know if the map was the one she had found. She controlled herself by digging her nails in her palms rather than the table. 

“I have the information about the whereabouts of the vampires in the whole of Europe," she said very quickly, glancing in the direction of the window to not lose sight of the girl she had her focus on. “Where they live. The ones in support of the Dark Lord. I have information on all of them.”

“Alright," said Moody slowly, closing the map. "So you want to tell us?” he waited with the quill in his hand.

“I will," she said. “But only to her." 

Narcissa pointed to the person outside the window who was busy talking to the receptionist, gratefully, not in the flirty, dominating way she talked to Narcissa.

Moody turned around to have a look. He then nodded solemnly at Narcissa. “The best of the best. Alice Longbottom."

Chapter Text

Narcissa was bound to her chair with enchanted ropes till her forearms were covered. It didn't matter if they were enchanted or not. She couldn't break out through them now and she doubted if anyone would come near her anymore. She felt weak. Whatever amount of blood she had managed to drain from Stebbins had lost its effect from Narcissa's body. The only reason she remembered Stebbins' name was because she was accused of her murder.

However, Narcissa was looking forward to the reply Moody would bring. It had taken a lot of back and forth to convince Moody that she would only talk if Alice was in front of her. Moody didn't understand why she chose her, she didn't expect him to but if Narcissa was one thing, she was persuasive. She would go above and beyond, even with her hands tied, to make Alice come into the same room as her. She had to. She needed to see her face again, talk to her, at least for the last time before her fate would send her to Azkaban or to an unknown unforgiving forest for the rest of her life or whatever they did with vampires.

“We have news," said Moody, taking his usual seat. The scraping of the chair over the wooden floor sent a sharp pain in her head. Everything was going fuzzy. She needed to be fed. “Alice isn't ready to come." 

Narcissa snapped to attention. No, she has to. “She doesn't want to come or Did you not try hard enough?" she asked in a threatening tone.

“Firstly, I don't have to take orders from you, Mrs Malfoy." Narcissa didn't want to use the name anymore but that wasn't important to discuss right now.

“Who am I to order you, Mr Moody? I'm arrested here and you want me to talk. I understand that and I've put forward my condition. I will only talk with Mrs Alice Longbottom.”

"Why?”

“I'm not revealing it to anyone but her." She didn't have to reveal it to Alice either. Alice knew why Narcissa was calling her and Narcissa knew why she was denying. On one hand, the more time this took, the more time Lucius had to hide Draco but on the other hand, she was growing weak. She needed Alice to come quicker. Perhaps she should send a message through Moody that Narcissa was begging for her. That would guarantee her to walk in.

“We are not your dogs to obey everything you say. We brought your husband to talk to you now you hold your side of the bargain." Moody said sternly.

Narcissa breathed in. “Mr Moody, I can demand a lot of things to exchange this information. And of course, Lucius’ whereabouts was also an information you people were keen to find out. Don't try to interrupt me with any lies." She held her finger up from the chair when Moody opened his mouth. "Whether or not you found anything incriminating against him is another issue altogether. I could demand multiple million galleons for my information but I'm not. I am just trying to be comfortable here, Moody. I just want a familiar face. She'll tell you how good friends we were at Hogwarts. How we're not good friends anymore. It's been a long few days. I don't want to be a bad person. You can trust me on this.”

"So I take your word for having the information about vampire hideouts and invest one of my best Aurors in your service,” Moody said sarcastically. 

Narcissa looked straight into his eyes, raging with confidence. "Yes.”

Moody scoffed but got up and left. If she was familiar with reading moods through heartbeats, she could've guessed if she was successful in persuading him. However, she sat in the unknown, not visited for a long time till her thoughts started to wander. Had Lucius found the key and the hidden house? Was Draco safe? What was going to happen to her? The time seemed to stretch. She didn't realise the minute hand took this long to reach its initial place again. Nobody was coming to save her. What could have been she doing if the mission was successful? Would she have been a right hand to the Dark Lord like Bellatrix? Would she now be exiled and was supposed to live a worse life than Andromeda and Sirius? Would she be killed by these Aurors and her family wouldn't know what happened to her just like Regulus? Were all the Blacks supposed to meet the same fate of being stranded away from each other? Could they have been a proper family, meeting at Sunday dinners and Christmases? Draco would've been adored by all her cousins. He was the cutest kid ever. At first, Regulus would've been jealous of him for stealing all the attention but he would've loved that boy to death. Bella would've been a problem to be around but she would have taught him hexes and curses and made him smarter. Andromeda would have brought her daughter to play with him. Narcissa never paid much attention to the rebel that was Sirius but he did alright with Regulus and she assumed he would've loved Draco the same. Her baby would have had such a great family. A normal family. However, to have a normal family, she should've been normal in the first place. There was something different about her from the beginning. She knew it, she sensed it inside her. Narcissa's heart had been beating differently even before she was bitten.

Moody entered again. The room was getting pitch black again, she assumed, since he had brought a long candle with him. That wasn't necessary since the woman that walked behind him made the room glow more than the burning candle itself.

Alice entered the room and sat on the designated assistant’s chair without making eye contact with Narcissa. Her hair was shorter than Narcissa remembered and her olive skin was mostly covered in formal wear for modesty at work. Narcissa had torn away most of that modesty herself. Her lips, where Narcissa’s attention went immediately, were tightly shut. The most focused Narcissa found herself to be was on Alice's heartbeat which thudded to a level of running up a hill.

“She is here," Moody said. “Now talk." 

Narcissa finally looked away from Alice. “I said I'll talk to her." 

Moody banged his fist on the table. Narcissa didn't flinch, nor did Alice. “Your demands keep increasing." He pointed at Narcissa.

"On the contrary, they've remained the same. I will talk to her and only her.” Narcissa said, her head high. Alice did not look up. It was a strange sight.

There was a long silence in the room and the candle light was burning straight and steady. Moody started speaking, “I don't think Alice-" 

“I'll speak to her," said Alice.

“What?" Moody turned to her, surprised at her answer. Narcissa hid hers.

“I will stay here. Let her speak to me." Alice finally raised her head but she did not look at Narcissa. It was agonising to crave for her attention even after all these years.

Moody shuffled his feet, deciding his next step, before getting up. “I will be at the window. Watching."

When the door clicked shut, Alice closed her eyes and took a breath. She changed her seat from the assistant’s chair to the main one, like Narcissa had expected her to. She finally looked up and met Narcissa's eyes with her own, those washed brown eyes, muddy like an ocean of secrets.

“Alice," Narcissa said, her tongue touching the roof of her mouth as if savouring a delight, as if finally being satisfied with the craving she had had for years, as if the name belonged only in the exhale of her breath.

“Mrs Malfoy," replied Alice with no fondness. “Why you have chosen me is not the discussion. You wanted to speak to me and I am here. You may now reveal the information you have.”

Alice picked up her quill, and opened her book to jot down the points. Narcissa needed to diffuse the tension in the room even if it meant being chiselled to her bones. She wanted to talk to Alice, not just as a formal meeting. 

"All this sounds so official.”

"It is, Mrs Malfoy,” said Alice but Narcissa didn't miss the slight stress on her name. "I'm here for the job I'm ordered to do. As soon as I'm done, I'll be gone.”

"Alice, don't you want to know how I've been?” Narcissa cooed.

"Again, formal conversation, Mrs Malfoy.” Alice threw her hands up.

“Why? Don't you want to taste a little fun? There's even a candle here if you want to use it."

"Mrs Malfoy-”

"You're an expert in using wax. Do you want me to plead? That happens to be my area of expertise.”

“The information, Mrs Malfoy," pressed Alice.

"Alice,” Narcissa said but didn't continue till the girl made eye contact with her. "I'm hungry. I'm so tired.” Narcissa tried to manipulate her but didn't feign her fatigue. That part was the truest. Headache, sore throat, and all that. She hoped Alice would know that she was telling the truth with her once expression like she used to.

“I am here to investigate not to provide any services." Alice said plainly.

“Didn't expect you to be a prejudiced witch, Al." Narcissa sat up straight. The ropes were digging in her arms. She knew the scars would heal immediately but it still hurt. 

“I'm not being prejudiced, Mrs Malfoy. I speak to everyone in the same tone.”

“Oh, not about your tone, honey." Narcissa said and paused. The more she left her sentences incomplete, the more she gained Alice’s attention. The tale was old as time. Alice stared, her expressions asking what Narcissa meant. “I believe you give basic food to everyone? I didn't receive any. Is that because I'm a vampire?”

Alice didn't let it show but she breathed in sharply. Narcissa heard her heart picking up speed. The lump in her throat as she gulped.

“I… I heard you had your treat.” Alice said, her eyes glistening in the candlelight with rage as she concluded. "With Stebbins.”

"Alice, I was hungry.” said Narcissa as though the girl’s tears hadn't phased her. “I am still hungry. I don't know what would satisfy me. I have turned only a few days ago.”

“I don't think food is going to fill your stomach," Alice said.

"I know that. Food will not do much for the hunger I'm developing. We've learnt that in school. Blood helps. It makes me stronger. Once I've had some, I don't get the urge for a while.”

"I can't bring you blood, Mrs Malfoy.”

"Anything to eat for now.” Narcissa knew the two magical words that had always done wonders. "Alice, please.”

Alice took in a miffed breath. She looked at the window and nodded Moody to come in.

"What did she say?” Moody asked excitedly after entering.

“Nothing yet.” Alice whispered, looking at Narcissa, probably not knowing that she could hear everything around her. "Tough cookie." 

“Don't worry, Moody. Alice is good at opening my mouth.” Narcissa smirked and watched the girl ball her fist tightly.

“She hasn't been given any food." Alice complained. 

“She is a vampire," said Moody in a patronizing tone.

“We serve food for everyone. Regardless of who they are. Bring her chocolates." Narcissa sought a little satisfaction in the concern Alice displayed even if it was for breaking the rights of the held person rather than who the person being held was. She was always righteous. She fought for the weak, bullied students at Hogwarts and didn't turn away like Narcissa did.

Chocolates and a pudding were immediately brought to the room. The plate was placed in front of Narcissa. This would have been humiliating, being tied up and forced to eat from the plate like a dog but since Alice was in front of her, it was all the more opportunity for Narcissa. She bent forwards, opened her mouth and licked the pudding with her tongue looking straight at Alice. The pudding jiggled and Narcissa sucked on it with a clear intention of seduction.

Alice shifted in her chair uncomfortably. There, Narcissa thought, is the breaking point. 

“Stop it," she said.

“Stop what?" Narcissa asked innocently.

“You know what you're doing." Alice glanced at the window.

Narcissa sat straight, slowly licked her lips, “Feed me then.”

Alice flared her nose, looking at Narcissa. Narcissa smirked and bent over to eat the pudding the same way again. Alice stood up, pulled out her wand and pointed at Narcissa who tried hard not to show her panic. Maybe the years had changed the girl she knew. Maybe Alice would kill her right here. Maybe this was a good way to die.

Two ropes shot from the wand and tied Narcissa’s torso around the chair in a cross, confining her movements. Alice walked to the other side of the table. The plate floated mid air while Alice picked up the spoon and scooped the pudding. From the corner of her eye, Narcissa saw Moody stand up, alert. The spoon was long enough to restrict Narcissa from biting Alice if she had any urge to do it. She did have the urge but she wouldn't do that to Alice, not right now. She had to control herself.

Narcissa took the bite, then another and then another. The chocolate wasn't quenching her thirst but the headache was slightly receding.

“Are you ready to talk?" Asked Alice.

"I thought I only listened and obeyed.”

Narcissa didn't miss the skipped beat of Alice's heart. She shoved the spoon in Narcissa's mouth. “Eat." 

"May I ask you something?” 

Alice did not say anything but stared at her lips where the chocolate dripped out.

"Does seeing me tied up turn you on?” asked Narcissa.

Alice stood up abruptly and went back to her side of the table while the spoon floated on its own, continuing to feed. Narcissa laughed.

“Mrs Malfoy, I beg you to stay professional," Alice yelled.

Line after line, Alice was giving her the chance. "You're begging? I thought you only liked it when I did it.”

“Cissy, shut your mouth!" Alice screamed pointing at Narcissa, eyes so wide with hurt that tears threatened to spill out. 

“What do you want from me, Al?" Narcissa asked, the spoon feeding her the last of the pudding.

“What I'm here for. Give me the names of the spots and I'll be off." 

“And where would I be off to?" Narcissa shouted.

Alice paused. If she was the same Alice that Narcissa knew, she would be concerned for her, for her fate. She sat down on her chair.

“I think you know your fate better than I do." 

“Azkaban?" Narcissa breathed out in a moment.

Alice shook her head in disappointment. “Do you think you would still be here if sending you to Azkaban was in their minds? You killed someone, Cissy. You killed one on duty Auror and attacked the other. What do you think is the fate of such a vampire?”

This new heart was a strange thing. It beat moderately but the coldness for being on the edge of death spread across her chest like it had stopped. The lump in her throat grew bigger, making it harder for her to breathe. 

“Alice," she said with a voice that came out shaky. She wanted Alice to offer but there was no point bearing around the bush "Help me.”

"How do you want me to help you? You have fucked up in every way possible. Do you even see a way out yourself?” Alice whispered furiously.

Narcissa was not going to cry. She was not ready for this. "I will tell you everything,” she said decisively. "And you will tell the Aurors to pardon me for it.”

Alice took a long look at Narcissa. “I can't help you, Cissy." She sniffed.

"Alice, I'll beg in front of you till my knees hurt,” Narcissa said softly. “You know I'm good at that." She added.

Alice looked uncomfortably at the window. Moody raised a brow and she shook her head in dismissal.

"Do you not remember, Al?” Narcissa said, her voice dipped in malice. “The way you used to make me beg to make you fuck me?" 

Alice not turning her head up was sort of a victory for Narcissa.

“I do not." Alice very obviously lied.

"Alright, do you remember when we first kissed?”

"Why are you doing-” began Alice but Narcissa cut her mid sentence.

"We were by the Black Lake.” Narcissa was taunting Alice but she remembered the memory like it had happened yesterday. Mostly since she kept it in a jar in her closet, dipping herself in the pensieve again and again, whenever Lucius wasn't home. "We were laughing and tussling behind the trees. You had fought a bully troubling a student. You had done it all with your bare hands, without using a wand.”

Alice’s lips tried hiding the smile creeping on them.

"I had asked you to show me how to get out of the headlock. Do you remember what happened then?" 

Alice nodded and looked away. She was hesitating as if she had forgotten that she wasn't the one arrested here.

“You held me in a headlock from behind and told me to tangle my leg with yours to trip you backwards. I did but I had tripped on top of you and you still had your arms around me. We were so close. It awakened something in me that day. You know what happened next,” said Narcissa softly.

“You kissed me." Alice looked up with tears in her eyes. She was as hurt by the memory as Narcissa was. This hurt was unnecessary. They should've been together. Things would have been so different if they had been together.

"I was so afraid that I had crossed a line. That I had sinned and made you a part of it. That you would never wish to be my friend again. However, you had laughed and said, ‘that is one way to get out.’” Narcissa laughed. "That's when I knew… that this was right. That we were meant to be." 

“Till you decided we weren't." sniffed Alice bitterly.

“Oh, don't blame it on me." Narcissa scoffed. “You know what circumstances we were in. My family was supporting the Dark Lord. They would've barely understood us. They wouldn't have accepted me for who I was. They would've killed us if not something worse. I wanted to protect you." 

“Protect me?" Alice sneered.

“Yes, Al. You are everything to me. I could never harm you," said Narcissa and she herself knew it was the truth. 

“It's too late now." Alice shook her head. “I have a family. You do too." 

“I don't anymore, Al." Narcissa's voice cracked.

Alice pinched the bridge of her nose. Narcissa could see it through one expression. They understood each other like that. She could tell that Alice was hurt. They both were but they had to find a way to free Narcissa. She could make Alice see through it. Only if Alice understood her with one expression like she used to.

“Are you happy with him? Are you in love with him?" Narcissa asked.

“Frank is a good man," Alice replied. “A good father." 

“And what about a good husband? You know very well that no husband could satisfy you the way you want. Men would rather go to war for us than please us in bed.” Narcissa scoffed. “But you must've found your own ways, haven't you?”

Alice looked up in confusion but she had understood what Narcissa meant.

"Does he fuck you the way I did? Does he kneel and beg like a good lover?"

"Narcissa-"

"Does he kiss you on your inner thighs the way you like? Do you moan into your pillow? Do you bite your tongue to stop yourself from screaming my name?” Narcissa smirked.

“Stop it!" 

“What do you make him do then? To fill in my absence?" Narcissa pressed on.

"Stop! We're not here for-”

"Tell me, Al. There is no shame in front of me.”

"Cissy-”

"Go on, Al. Tell me.”

"I make him pray,” said Alice in a sudden loud voice. She whimpered a sob, controlled herself so that Moody wouldn't barge in. "I make him pray at the foot of our bed and I imagine him begging. I have convinced him to worship me before conducting our holy act." 

“Holy?" Narcissa huffed. “You damned god when you spent nights between my legs. When you did dirty, sinful things with me that Frank could never imagine. We were so good together. We fit in perfectly well. I could be on my knees again, forever, if you just take me away from here.”

“For what?" yelled Alice. "For you to leave me again? To abandon me when I fall in love with you again?”

"I didn't want to do it. I just wanted to escape the house. Marrying Lucius seemed like a good option." Narcissa yelled back

"All you want to do your whole life is escape. Escape your house, escape me, escape your marriage, escape this situation you've landed yourself into.” Alice banged her fist on the table making Narcissa flinch and hold the sides of the chair tightly. The candle flickered but kept burning.

Narcissa took a few breaths to calm herself down. “And would you help me do it again?" 

Alice rubbed her eyes. “What are we doing, Cissy? Are we still in our pathetic fantasies? Are you using me to escape again?" 

“Did you ever love me, Al?" Narcissa's tears were soaking her cheeks, irritating her, but there was no option available to wipe them.

“Did you?" Alice retorted.

The question could have well been the stake that pierced Narcissa through her heart.

“I did and I always will," Narcissa answered truthfully. “You were my knight in the shining armour. The sight of land after being stranded on a raft. The first drop of blood after long thirsty days."

Alice shook her head, blinking away the tears. “Everything has changed. How do I leave everything and be with you? I cannot. I cannot do this to Neville." 

“You don't have to. I'll be your secret. You can still have your life. I will never let harm reach you. All this time you have been here, not once have I thought of hurting you. I am in desperate need of blood but I will not harm you. I love you, Al. You will not be bound by me. You can have your life in the day and I can be yours in the night.” Narcissa hoped being this vulnerable would award her something.

Alice wiped her own tears away and picked up the quill. “Tell me everything." 

This was a lost case. Alice would not help her. Why would she? Narcissa had done every bad thing imaginable to her. Abandoned her, married a rich man, had a kid with said man and just when Alice had moved on, she had come back as a storm, uprooting her life again. So now she complied. She would listen to Alice like she always did.

“The Death Eaters are supposed to have the Dark Mark on their forearm to state their loyalty to the Dark Lord.” Narcissa began. "I didn't want to mark myself. I didn't want him to have control over me. I told him he had to trust me, that I would stay loyal. He said if I were to complete a mission, he would let me stay unmarked. I did not really agree with his ideals but being under his guard seemed like safety. Lucius was in the close circle already and I had to protect Draco. I didn't want to do it but I agreed. I made sure he didn't read my mind but now that I think about it, he might've. He might've known that which was why he sent me to deal with the vampires. He knew the risk. I was doomed from the start.”

Alice jotted the notes down. She looked up to where Narcissa's hands were tied and pointed to it, “Who hurt you?" 

The fang marks on Narcissa’s arm, prickled beneath the ropes. "I went to the forests and castles the vampires hid in. The first two of the encounters went fine. The hidden islands behind Inverness castle, the Forsaken Forests of Reelig Glen. I met those creatures, they were wary at first but they listened to the plans of the Dark Lord and agreed to support him. I was sure I could win them all over. I am persuasive, you know that. It went smoothly until I reached the ruins of the castle Urquhart. I spent a day with the vampire group living there, hidden in the shadows of the forest. They were lovely and didn't threaten me like the previous two had done. I thought it would be easy to persuade them. They took me to the castle at night. The Head Count separated from us while his two children showed me around. I didn't know their names. When I tried to ask, they attacked me. I screamed and I shouted for help. I tried to apparate but the castle was under a spell and I couldn't do it. I got cinched and it made it easier for them to turn me.” Narcissa sniffed and paused.

Alice extended her arm to comfort her but thought better off midway and took it back.

“One of them, the younger one, held me by my neck while the other bit me on my arm. I tried to push them away but the older one had buried his teeth inside me. I tried to reach for my wand but my hand was twisted. I took my leg behind and tangled it around the younger vampire. With all the strength I had in me, I pulled his leg and tripped him just like you had taught me. The other one lost balance because of the sudden movement and his teeth were out of me. I ran away but the poison had spread…” Tears filled up her eyes again and added to the stream lines on her face.

“How did you escape?” Alice asked quietly.

"I didn't. I was tired and I roamed the forest without any sense of direction. I would've died because of the poison and the wounds. I used my wand to stop the bleeding but I was fatigued. Everything was a blur.”

"What happened then? How did you survive?”

"They came back." 

Alice gasped even though there was no reason to be scared because Narcissa was in front of her, alive, at least partly. Alice had long stopped writing in her notes.

“Both of them came back to find me. When they split up, I followed the younger one. I immobilized him and brought him back to the older one. I used the body freezing charm on the older sibling and made the other watch while I bit his brother and drank his blood. I was only seething with rage and there was an urge in me that wanted equal revenge for what they had done but he had no blood, only poison running in his veins. When I was draining him, I didn't realise I was completing the ritual of being a vampire. I had failed miserably. But now I know that if I hadn't done it, I would've died. Like Stebbins. She had to drink my poison too if she wanted to live. But who would want to live like this?"

Narcissa pressed her eyes shut. She knew Alice wouldn't console her or even come close to her now. Narcissa had made sure to push her away. Maybe that was for the better.

"But he hadn't died. His poison would have regenerated in his body. So I used a summoning charm at a broken bough through his chest. When I had killed the older one, I freed the younger one to run away. But I couldn't let him go. For some reason I wanted to him to have the same fate like his brother but he saw it coming. He missed the branch and fought back. In the scaffolding, I lost my wand and he lost his life. I pierced the stake through his heart with my bare hands. I roamed the forest, trying to get out. I couldn't move during the day and hid in hollow tree trunks. I didn't understand how I was alive without drinking or eating anything but I was starving. I had a craving for something I didn't know. My teeth were tingling and growing comically. All the noises around me started growing louder and it hurt my head. I could smell the living creatures around me. It took me three days till I found a human scent but I didn't realise it was Amycus, coming to save me. Something overshadowed my thoughts and I had pounced on him and drained his blood out. I had been craving for blood. I understood it only when my hunger had been satisfied. The stupid fool Amycus had Death Eater allegations on him. He must've made some mistake, left clues of himself in the nearby towns which your Aurors followed and found me.”

Alice nodded. “Continue." 

“Since I have a bargain with the lot of you, I must tell you the names of the places. You already have noted down three. There is the hidden village of Perth. There are crypts in the Scone palace where they reside as a group…”

One by one, Narcissa told all the places she knew that were occupied by vampires. She wondered if she was let out, which place she would choose. Would she find others like her? Would they be accepting of her when she had been prejudiced against them her whole life?

“Is that all?" Asked Alice.

Narcissa nodded. “Alice, what will happen to me?" 

Alice looked around at Moody who had now sat on a chair, still glancing constantly at the two of them. “They'll try to get rid of you." 

Narcissa whimpered.

“I will try my best to not let that happen," Alice said confidently. “Even if you get out of here, I doubt that they would let you use a wand. You are not, what they consider, a human, anymore. What you've done, the places you have revealed might work in your favour. I will try my best for it to be this way.”

Narcissa nodded, a sort of a heavy relief spreading across her chest. She could trust Alice. Even if she couldn't ensure her safety, she could help her get out of here. There was still hope if Alice was by her side but she had to be sure.

“Can I ask you something?" Narcissa asked.

"Go on,” Alice said. 

“Do you still love me?"

The girl crossed to her side of the table. She glanced once at Moody who stood up at this move. Alice extended her hand towards Narcissa and wiped her tears off. Narcissa could feel the heat emanating from Alice's human body. She could feel the blood rushing through the girl’s veins. One turn, one bite and Narcissa could taste it. Her mouth started salivating at the thought of it but her mind kept reminding her. This was Alice. Her Alice.

“My heart carries a part of you forever with me," said Alice.

Narcissa wanted to ask whether the part of her brought her peace or filled her with rage. If she could do it all over again, would she? Even if it meant Narcissa would leave her again. Narcissa could ask a lot of questions. Associate a lot of thoughts to their non-existent life together. Could've, would've, should've. She only watched as Alice walked to the door, leaving Narcissa behind with a still glowing candle of hope.

Chapter Text

Narcissa felt every minute pass for the past four days. No one appeared in the dark room. Not even Alice. Her thoughts troubled her all the time but more troubling was her body. Her hands were almost the size of sticks. Her skin was pale and greying. There was no strength left in her to hold her head up. The chocolate had done wonders when she had had it but its effect had died down a long time ago. It was certainly less reliable than blood but at this moment she would have that too. Narcissa knew she wouldn't die but her hunger would only make her weak.

The click sounded at the door before opening. Moody stood with a file at the doorway. “There is news." 

Narcissa tried to sit up straight, to have some dignity.

"What is it?” she said in a hoarse voice which must've hardly travelled to his ears. 

“They have decided to give you a trial."

"Didn't realise my basic rights were up for debate.” Narcissa eyed him as fiercely as she could.

Moody stepped towards the table. He waved a wand and another chocolate pudding appeared. Narcissa didn't know where she got the strength that made her bend and devour the sweet in one go. No seductiveness this time, only animalistic hunger. The headache quieted down and left her feeling much lighter despite the circumstances.

”You will be allowed to defend yourself,” Moody explained. 

“When is it?" Said Narcissa with a mouthful of pudding.

“Tomorrow evening,” Moody informed.

Narcissa nodded and wondered when Alice would come. She would fight for Narcissa because she had provided information. She would give something to Narcissa to defend herself at the hearing. Something to save herself from tumbling down in death's path. Narcissa didn't want to die, who does anyway? There were moments in her life that made her think of dying but she never actually wanted to kill herself, only the life she was living. This was another one of those moments. This was another one of those lives.

She was left alone again. The silence was deafening. Narcissa kept tapping her nails on the chair handle to avoid the ringing sound echoing her ears. Minutes passed to hours and hours passed to days. There was no sign of Alice. Maybe she would meet her outside the courtroom. The past five days without Alice had seemed longer than the five years she spent without her.

Added to the misery was her declining health. She knew vampires didn't die by starvation but the weakness was overbearing. It was a struggle keeping focus. The effects of the chocolates from yesterday had lost their effect on her again. The only thought that kept her going was that Alice would come visit her. She didn't.

When the time came, Moody entered the room alone. The absence of Alice was a death sentence itself. The Auror raised his wand to her. She didn't have the energy to flinch. Do it, she thought, use the killing curse. Moody bound her hands together and her mouth was sealed shut with the Oscausi spell. Narcissa wondered if it was legal. She had used so many dark curses herself that she couldn't make out which ones were allowed and which earned a sail to Azkaban.

Moody, flanked by four more Aurors, none of them Alice, took her up the stairs. Narcissa put her one foot ahead of the other and tried to maintain a steady pace. Narcissa couldn't remember how she had gotten here before she realised she was unconscious when it had happened. The sun had set down when she was skirted out of the building to the other.

Moody entered first and then the two Aurors infront of her. Narcissa rolled her eyes at the board that read: Court of Non Human and Half Breed Species. As she stepped shakily under the arch of the door, she slammed into something invisible. A scream tried to leave her throat emerging with a force of her whole body but nothing escaped through her sealed mouth. Not only was there an invisible wall restricting her from entering, but it burnt her face where she had rammed herself. With an abrupt stop, the Aurors behind slammed into her pushing her further into the invisible barrier. The skin of her face and the palms of her bound hands, used in trying to push herself away, were melting like an icecream on a hot pan.

Moody turned around with an alert face but somehow relaxed when he saw Narcissa’s condition. “Oh, forgot again," he said. “Come in." 

At these words, the invisible barrier was lifted up. Narcissa fell face forward into the ground, hurting herself more in the process. However, immediately, her flesh and skin started to restore itself leaving a tingling sensation behind. It would have been a marvelous thing watching the parts of her skin gather itself like ants building their home before the rain, but it hurt so bad. Narcissa realised that even though she was arguably immortal, even though her body healed itself, the pain was real. It would always hurt. 

She somehow staggered to the courtroom but it was empty. Moody took her to another door at one side of the room where they entered a small chamber. Alice would be here, Narcissa hoped. The room was dark, Narcissa could sense it even though she could see everything. It looked as horrifying as it was. A cubical prison, like a bird cage, stood in the middle of the room with space around it for the free people to roam. Please don't put me in there, Narcissa prayed but god had stopped listening to her prayers a long time ago. Probably because she had sinned so horribly in the name of love. Moody locked the door of the cage with Narcissa inside, freed her hands and opened her mouth back to normal. She glared at him, playing her part of an animal in a zoo.

“Wait," she yelled as Moody and the others stepped to the door. “Where is Alice? She would want to talk to me." 

Moody raised a brow. “You two have talked enough."

With that, he walked out. What did that mean? Alice was forbidden to talk with her? Or did she not want to talk with Narcissa? 

Narcissa held the rod for support. She tried using her little strength to vainly pull it out. The rods stood the same, eight inches away from one another. She slumped down on the floor. Was Lucius successful in keeping Draco safe? There was no way of knowing. What was taking Alice so long?

In what seemed like an hour, the door clicked open. 

“Alice," Narcissa whispered pathetically. But it was a duo of an Auror, escorting her to the courtroom. One of them was Sirius' scarfaced friend. Narcissa could only imagine the reason Sirius had never managed to get a girlfriend was because this clingy, attention seeking bastard was, if the rumour were right, still his roommate. He had her attention right now because his blood smelt horrible, almost undesirable. Narcissa wondered why that was. Perhaps associating too much with mudbloods and blood traitors does that to one.

Narcissa had no strength left in her. If the Aurors hadn't been holding her up with their wands, she would've been on the floor or aiming her mouth to one of their necks. She was then made to sit on a chair in the centre of the circular room, with her hands bound to it. She looked around at the crowd in the room, focusing on no one in particular, the smell of blood making her hazy. Everyone had come here with a purpose. Justice, entertainment, and humiliation. 

“Did you hear that she was bitten?”

"Was Carrow really drained of blood?" 

“The rumour is she bit her husband and baby too." 

“She was found naked in the woods." 

“This is what happens to the likes of Blacks and Malfoys." 

“Years of prejudice will find justice." 

"That'll teach He Who Shall Not Be Named."

Narcissa could hear everything said about her. The words blurred together but she was smart enough to make sense of it. Why hadn't Alice showed up? Surely something bad must've happened for her to not be able to help Narcissa.

The judge, Barty Crouch, banged the hammer on the table for silence, bringing Narcissa to attention. Narcissa stared at him with venom in her eyes. He was the worst person to conduct her case. If he crossed any lines, she would expose his son’s affairs in front of everyone, she promised herself.

“Disciplinary hearing on the thirteenth of June,” Crouch said in a loud voice. "Into offences committed under the Decree of Protection of Individuals of Wizarding Community and the Statute of Segregation of Non Human Species by Narcissa Malfoy in the forest behind Castle Urquhart and in the Ministry of Magic Premises of London. Interrogators, Barty Crouch, Head of Department of Magical Law, Hephistus Aurelius, Head of Aurors, Mertha Taryn, Senior Officer of Department of Magical Infringement…”

The judge went on and all Narcissa could think was that despite the differences in their names, their blood would taste the same. Her eyes were closing on their own, only opening when Crouch raised his voice. Lucius was always afraid of this man even if he didn't show it. Narcissa couldn't place why. If Crouch were to walk in front of her, she could attack him easily. He was a man with a small build. She could wrap her arms around his neck and pull him back to lose his balance. Once that had done, it would be easy to bite him on his shoulders or rather anywhere on his hand. 

Narcissa's attention was brought back again as soon as the judge mentioned someone she was longing to see.

“Security Aurors, Matthew Weasley and Alice Longbottom.”

Narcissa's head snapped up. By the entrance of the room at the left side, stood the woman with a bigger and sturdier build than Narcissa's, showing no sign of recognition for the alleged culprit. Narcissa tried to pierce her gaze through the woman but she kept her posture, sincere on her duty. If this was any other case, Narcissa would have been turned on by the determination on her face but she was doomed today. 

Why wasn't Alice looking at her? What had Narcissa done to upset her? Should she beg in front of all these people to have her attention?

“Mrs Malfoy?" said Crouch.

“Huh?" The confusion escaped Narcissa's throat dumbly.

“How do you plead?” said Crouch, annoyed.

Narcissa glanced at Alice. Maybe there was some hint Narcissa wasn't catching on to. “Not guilty," said Narcissa mostly because she hadn't paid attention to the accusations that were read. 

“Proceed," said Crouch and looked to the right of Narcissa. She moved her gaze away from Alice to the woman standing in defence of Amycus Carrow, his own sister, Alecto. Narcissa wanted to yell at people to roll up this woman's sleeves and check for themselves if the Dark Mark embedded in her skin allowed her to stand in the just halls of the ministry. 

“My brother," she said. “Amycus had gone to the forests in search of Narcissa Malfoy and was found dead by her foot. His blood was drained…” Alecto’s voice cracked. Emotional bitch, Narcissa called her in her mind. "And this woman was standing over him with his blood all over her body, drinking it. On further inspection by the Aurors, it was learnt that Mrs Narcissa Malfoy had been bitten and turned into a vampire.”

There was a murmur in the courtroom. Narcissa mesmerized in recalling the time she was gulping Amycus' blood, too satisfied to notice the noises of the Aurors surrounding her.

"Silence,” Crouch beat the hammer.

"Later she attacked the two Aurors that interrogated her, causing one of them, Tony Stebbins, to die because of the vampire poison. This has all been witnessed by the Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt who was her second victim. Third, in total.”

"Mrs Narcissa Malfoy, do you disagree with any of the statements?" Crouch asked.

Alice wasn't moving a muscle. Look at me, Narcissa thought, and everything will be alright. One expression was enough for Narcissa to understand the plan or whatever Alice had in mind. There was no hint coming, no saving.

“No," Narcissa said to the judge.

“You don't disagree?” said Crouch looking rather confused. The murmur grew before he slammed the hammer on the table again. “You have committed said crimes?”

"Yes," Narcissa said, hoping for a reaction from Alice. None came.

“If you've committed these crimes and you know it, why didn't you plead guilty, Mrs Malfoy?" Crouch's face was so annoyed that he would have thrown the hammer at her.

“Because I wasn't feeling guilty," said Narcissa simply.

Alecto's hand balled into a fist, crumpling her notes.

“That is such an insensitive thing to say-” she said. 

"That is right, Mrs Malfoy. Do not waste the court's time with such nonsense,” he said, gaining control again. "Now there is a bargain mentioned in the papers.”

Narcissa paid proper attention now. “Yes. I've revealed information in return for my freedom.”

“If," Crouch held up a finger. "The information was right.”

They had to be bullshitting with the syntaxes. Narcissa controlled herself because she hadn't lied. Not one word of what she had spoken.

Crouch shuffled through some files. “The papers presented to me by Mrs Alice Longbottom, Senior Auror of the Department, wherein the investigation of searching for vampire hideout places, done by herself, show that the information provided by you, is false on all accounts.”

Narcissa's heart dropped to the floor. Her cold chest felt like it might have frozen further. She would've screamed if she had a little more strength in her. All she could do was to turn her head to Alice who kept staring away.

Was it possible that Alice could've… betrayed her? Give her false hope and snatch it away like Narcissa had done years ago by breaking up with her. It didn't seem fair. Narcissa had done it to protect Alice not to sentence her in Azkaban. Narcissa felt a strong desire to rush to Alice and bite her. Not only suck her blood, but to consume her.

She wanted to do every bad thing possible. Every bad thing imaginable by her bloodthirsty mind. Narcissa would start with Alice’s thighs, the place where she loved to be kissed. Then she would trail upwards to her stomach. Biting into her would feel so good. Piercing into her skin to tear it apart, blood oozing like honey from a comb. All the while Alice would struggle, screaming Narcissa’s name. She would be the one who would do the begging now as Narcissa would swallow her flesh one bite at a time, chewing hard on it. She would make Alice a part of her forever so that she would never abandon her like this again.

“Mrs Malfoy, conduct yourself," came a shriek somewhere from the judge’s side of the chair. 

Narcissa jerked awake from her fantasies. At first, she was confused then she realised what this was about and wiped her drooling mouth on her shoulders. 

“As I was saying," said Crouch, reviling her with his eyes. “The places you had mentioned were clean and devoid of any vampire activities. There were rumours around these places already which you must have taken advantage of to distract the court and send the most eligible Aurors on a wild golden snidget chase. However, the court does not consider this offence and give you another trial to waste further time in the midst of a war.”

She realised that the trial didn't mention the vampire brothers that turned her. Was that information omitted by Alice. What could have been the reason for it? Narcissa debated confessing to their murders but, as Crouch said, it would only take more trials. Furthermore, it would hardly work in Narcissa's favour to gain her freedom.

“Since you have proven to be a rampant blood thirsty vampire,” Crouch continued. "The court orders you a death sentence.”

"No.” Narcissa gasped. It was the time to reveal Crouch's secret, a time to expose Alecto, a time to name the vampires she had met to bid her time, but Narcissa only snapped her head to Alice, expecting her to finally react but she didn't even wince at the love of her life being sentenced to death. How had she turned so cruel? Had Narcissa made her that way by abandoning her? Alice had never told her that she loved her still. Perhaps the part of Narcissa that Alice carried with her was poisonous and that had made her this apathetic. Narcissa was a fool for trusting her. Narcissa regretted not biting her when she had a chance. 

“I'm not lying,” she shouted but no one seemed to hear her over Crouch’s reading of sentences. "I'm not lying!"

“Is there proof of your statement?" said the woman beside Crouch. She seemed to give Narcissa the benefit of doubt. What was her name? Bertha? Mertha? Melini?

But it was all useless. The only three people who would witness or believe her were her husband, whose name she could not take since it would mean taking away safety from Draco, the Dark Lord who would be beyond difficult to capture and hardly trustworthy, and Alice who had already betrayed her. Narcissa kept quiet rather than admitting her defeat.

Crouch gave an annoyed grumble and stamped the paper and declared her a death sentence by execution registered for vampires by tomorrow morning. 

While she was taken back to the room by two Aurors, she was determined not to glance at Alice but by now Narcissa had understood that it wouldn't matter. She would not look at her. Narcissa was supposed to be kept in the prison by the courtroom at night with four Aurors as a guard. Narcissa could've taken them all down if she had just a pint of blood in her stomach.

Narcissa could hear the bustle outside die down as the time went by. Her skin was greying and sunken to the point that they had reached the bones. There was no growling in her stomach but she was starving. She wished she would die of this hunger, on her own accord than whatever way of execution was waiting for her. Given her state, either it was exposing her to the sun or stake at her heart. Neither was favourable.

What was Draco doing? Was he crying for her? Her poor child who would grow up missing her, probably not knowing that she had turned into a blood thirsty being who would not have able to control herself in front of her so she abandoned her. Maybe Alice was right. Maybe Narcissa did run away from everything.

Was there really no way to run now? No way to escape this? Narcissa sat up straight, holding the metal bars of the cage. She tried to pull them through the ground again, then away from each other to make the gap wider. But then what? There were four guards outside. How was she going to tackle them with no strength in her? There was no choice but to stay right here and await her death.

However, the door clicked open with the heartbeat of a panicked person. Narcissa watched Alice walk in with a plate of food and a smirk of the devil.

“Hello, Cissy," she said.

How dare she? Walk in like nothing had happened. Like this wasn't the last time they would be seeing each other. Like Narcissa wasn't going to die. Like Alice wasn't responsible for it.

“Get out!" Narcissa shouted with a voice that hurt her insides.

“You're not at liberty to order me." Alice placed the plate close to the bars. Narcissa shot her hand through it to catch Alice’s hand but the girl was too fast. She winced for some reason but then laughed at Narcissa’s failed attempt and leaned on the wall behind.

“I do not want to speak to you.” Narcissa snarled.

“I brought you food," said Alice innocently. Narcissa wanted to sink her teeth in Alice's mouth and tear her face apart. 

“You're such a sadist. You do not care about me.”

“I do, Cissy,” Alice taunted with the nickname. "I got you food.” She pointed at the plate.

Narcissa spat in the gap between them. “Fuck you and your mock concern."

"Oh, this is barely any concern. This is supposed to be your last food. I meticulously chose everything for you.” 

Narcissa looked at the plate then. “A baguette? Oh how grateful I am for being teased for my French ancestry. ” Narcissa mocked a grateful tone. “And what's this? A chocolate dip? Thank you, oh kind Alice, for thinking of my headache. I hope it doesn't last when I'm dead.” 

Alice laughed at her ridiculous behaviour instead of being offended. There was a pounding in Narcissa's ears even with no blood in her veins. She wanted to claw at Alice. Tear the black shirt off of her with her teeth and gnaw into her flesh.

“What's this?" She asked, pointing at the drink.

"Cranberry juice,” said Alice.

"I hate cranberry juice.”

"I know,” replied Alice.

"Why did you do this?” Narcissa yelled. "Why are you mocking me with your presence? Is my humiliation turning you on?”

"It is indeed,” Alice bit her lip. She circled around the cage, watching Narcissa from all sides while she stood leaning on the bars, helpless.

"You lied in court. I know you did. You sentenced me to death. This is not some foreplay, Alice. You have ruined me.” Narcissa yelled with a cracking voice. If Alice turned this direct accusation into another lustful thing, Narcissa was going to throw the cranberry juice in her face. A petty tit for a petty tat.

“I did not lie," Alice said plainly.

"You're lying still,” Narcissa huffed.

Alice flexed her left hand and stood up straight. "I was in the forests and castles that you mentioned in your list. I visited each and every spot. After the first five places, the Aurors gave up since there was nothing to follow but I continued to prove you right. Even a little bit. I should be calling you a liar.” 

“I did not lie." It took a huge amount of strength for Narcissa to stress on every word.

“I know that." 

Narcissa tried to focus on Alice’s face to make out what she meant.

Alice continued. "I checked every place for a sign of vampires but it was wiped clean. Even the place you were found in. There is nothing there, Cissy. You were ought to be seen as a liar.” 

“That's not possible. They must be there somewhere. Hiding. I met them. I was given the researched places. They should be there.” Narcissa rambled. 

"Oh Cissy," Alice said. “You were always a fool, weren't you?" 

Narcissa snapped her head up, turning away from the blurry thoughts. 

“Do you not realise what has happened?" Alice continued when Narcissa dumbly kept quiet. “Did you not tell anyone about these places? Does no one know how to reach out to the vampires? No one to send them inside information that you were going to snitch them out?" 

Narcissa stopped shaking her head when the realization hit her. Her hand went to her mouth as she gasped the name, “Lucius." 

Alice nodded once.

No, Narcissa thought, Lucius wouldn't do this. But that was the only thing that was possible. Lucius knew where the vampires were, Narcissa had told him herself before her mission. Lucius had every right to betray her. She had confessed that she had never loved him, he had all the reasons to act this way. Helping the vampires would mean gaining their trust and support. That would prove more loyalty to the Dark Lord, earn him respect in their community. The Dark Lord would protect Lucius in return for his bravery. His deed would make everyone forget Narcissa’s sacrifice. But what about Draco? He would be safe with all the wrong shields. Lucius had promised Narcissa that he would keep Draco safe but safety meant different things to the both of them. 

Narcissa slumped down with the realization. Her plans, her sacrifices, everything she had done was thrown to the wolves. Dead and useless. That would be her state now. She had lost everything. Her son, her dear, beloved son was taken away from her. Alice, who for some reason stood in the room taunting her, was going to be the reason for her death. What had she done for the last hours of her life to lead to this?

Narcissa bawled her eyes out, wailing for the life she had lost before dying. Her loved ones who were strayed away from her. Her mother wouldn't come to visit her but what would she think of her if she saw her like this? Pathetic Narcissa, she would say, couldn't control one thing right. Perhaps she had been right all along.

Narcissa felt a touch on her face, pulling it up. Alice had come close. Of course, she would come now. Narcissa was on her knees. This was what she wanted, what she craved, what she liked. Narcissa would be lying if she said there wasn't a time when she liked it too. She liked not being in control, giving it to Alice instead. Someone whom she trusted, someone who was her best friend for years before it had turned into something else. Now, Alice circled her warm fingers on Narcissa's chin. Her heartbeat was fast but steady.

“Does this turn you on?" Narcissa sneered. A swift turn, and she could bite Alice’s finger, or even her hand, off. She could smell the blood, too strongly, if she was being honest.

“Drink," Alice ordered. 

Alice's eyes were on Narcissa but her chin was high up. It was the look that used to make Narcissa weak in her knees. She was weak now and had nothing to overpower, being at the height of Alice’s crotch. This is how she used to kiss it and begged to fuck her. Now there was a red glass between them, looking absurdly sexual.

“The baguette would have added a better look, don't you think?” Narcissa taunted suggestively.

"I know you don't like it that way,” Alice replied, smirking like she had won. “Drink." 

“I won't.”

"Remember, Cissy, you listen and you obey.”

Narcissa felt the familiar tingling sensation in her belly button at the sound of those words, reminding her of the times they had been muttered in silent dorm rooms and empty broom closets under the Muffliato charm. 

"You know I only pretended to listen to you, right? I played my part so ultimately you would do what I want.” Narcissa admitted honestly. Truth before death.

"Manipulate me, then.” 

So Narcissa did what she had done countless times; she listened and she obeyed. She slowly creeped forward to bring her lips to the edge of the glass. If her mind made her think lustful things, which it did, it wasn't Narcissa's fault. 

Alice slid her other hand in Narcissa’s hair on top of her head like she was her pet. She tipped her head back with a slight force while Narcissa took in draught after draught, her attention solely in Alice's eyes and her heartbeat which had increased, if that was even possible. Narcissa gulped with her chest rising and falling which did not go unnoticed by Alice. When more than half the glass was downed by her, Alice kept it back on the plate.

Alice made her stand up by pulling her hair. Narcissa did as she was hinted. A marionette dancing by the strings. Alice put her hand inside the bars, on Narcissa's waist and tugged hard to bring her close while the smirk still played on her lips. It was infuriating and it was alluring.

Narcissa was breathing fast. Her mind seemed to shut down as her gaze swept towards Alice's lips. If she had to kiss her, she had to do it through the bars. A while ago she wanted to tear Alice’s skin through the rods, and therefore, kissing wouldn't be much of a struggle.

Alice slid her hand down from Narcissa's waist to her ass then to the back of her thighs. Narcissa’s knuckles on the rod, brushed Alice’s breasts which made her bite her lip. She was also creeping forward to Narcissa's lips but at the last moment, she spoke, “Keep your damned mouth away from me." 

Narcissa's eyes shot open. She would've taken a bite right then but Alice jerked her thigh up. Narcissa fell backwards, her hair falling behind like water from a cliff. If it weren't for her hands on the bars, she would've slammed on the floor. Her muscles had shrunk and most of her leg was pulled out of the prison. Alice kept dragging it upwards till the metal bar was right between her thighs.

Narcissa gasped once more as Alice started rubbing her most sensitive parts against the bar, sending shock signals from the middle of her legs through her spine. It was pleasurable in the worst circumstances.

Alice pulled Narcissa's left leg up from the other side of the next bar so that a gap was available for Alice to pull Narcissa's skirt up and slide her hand inside. Narcissa wrapped her legs around Alice's waist locking her in. Alice was risking her life by being so close to Narcissa but if she harmed Alice, she would fall.

Alice rubbed her thumb on her for a bit as Narcissa tried to hide her arousal. How was Narcissa allowing this?

“I will eat you," she snarled, coming back up, to the gap between the bars. It took everything in her to not pounce and satisfy her desires.

Alice should've been afraid, she should have backed away but she huffed. “Eat me? I'll show you how it's done.”

Alice then broke the eye contact to go down while Narcissa hung on to the bars. At first, Narcissa kept sliding and it felt like Alice was having difficulty holding her up until she murmured from between Narcissa's thighs, “Hold tight, sweetheart, I know you're strong enough." 

Narcissa scowled because what did Alice know about her? However, she listened and obeyed. She wrapped her hands around the bars to stay up from the ground. Narcissa's soles were on Alice's shoulders giving her the support to stay up other than Alice's hands on Narcissa's buttocks. It was graceless, clutching the bars like a bat hanging by its limbs, being a prey instead of a predator, but Alice never liked grace. She liked messy and rough, just the way she was gliding her tongue, pleasuring Narcissa. Side to side. Up and down. Sucking like her world depended on it. All the while Narcissa was losing her mind. Groaning and moaning. Biting the bar to avoid groaning and moaning. The metallic taste of the rod reminded her strongly of blood.

When the pressure was built at its peak, Narcissa's nails dug into the skin of her palms. She clutched the rods tighter than ever, pulling them hard as the moan escaped her throat with the release. The noises she made were so loud that she wondered how the guards did not rush in. For a few moments, it was just her, whimpering and rolling into oblivion. She was a creature free from the one she already was. Experiencing the feeling through another person in long five years. Her legs shook violently and Alice supported her from falling.

Alice helped her get down. Narcissa was still blurry when Alice pulled her close again. Narcissa opened her relaxed eyes to focus on the girl. Alice then somehow put her head easily through the gap of the bars and kissed Narcissa on the mouth. This was the moment Narcissa should betray Alice but she kissed her back, sensing her own lingering taste. Narcissa could've bit and torn the tongue sliding down her throat but the urge to drink Alice's blood, to eat her raw, was nowhere to be found. What had changed? Surely it wasn't sex, was it? The cure for vampirism wasn't that easy. 

Narcissa didn't have much time to think since she had to moan after every inch Alice trailed her lips to kiss her. She went downwards to her chin, smooching. Then her neck, making Narcissa's toes curl. She could've melted under Alice's warm touch when all of a sudden, Narcissa's eyes snapped open as Alice bit her neck, right above the collarbone. Narcissa shrieked and pushed her. The other girl laughed, backing away. A last taunt to Narcissa for who she was.

“You fucker!" Narcissa yelled with such malice that her voice came out clear instead of croaky.

“Your idea of being my night girl doesn't seem so bad if this is how we spend time in the dark." 

“You've got to be joking," growled Narcissa.

“I could build you a crypt. Keep you, my sweet little vampire, in it. Only if you listened and obeyed." Alice licked her lips. 

"It's a little late for future plans, don't you think?” spat Narcissa.

Alice stopped laughing and sighed. "Love will have its sacrifices. No sacrifice without blood.”

The way she had said it, Narcissa knew it was a quote from an old book. Narcissa couldn't remember the title nor understand what Alice was saying. She glared at Alice.

"I will try to protect Draco," Alice said suddenly. “But you can't ever meet him. That would be your sacrifice.”

"You ensured I couldn't ever meet him.” Narcissa said bitterly.

Alice laughed, sadly this time, and walked to the exit door. That's when it clicked to Narcissa that her cage wasn't right. Now that her eyes were focused away, she saw the bars, they had sex around, were bent apart from each other. There was a massive hole that Narcissa hadn't realised was present when Alice had slid in to kiss her nor how it had come to be. Had she made it? Was this her creation? How hadn't she realised it while doing it? 

Narcissa extended her hand to the marks denting the two rods. A grip so strong on both of them, they had deformed to the size of wires. More importantly, what had branded it as her work was the dental marks left behind, her fangs piercing holes in the hollow bar. It was her. She had done it.

How was this possible? Alice stood smiling by the door, the mole on her cheek disappearing in the dimple. Confusion fogged Narcissa's mind. She furrowed her brows but didn't dare to ask Alice in case it inflated her ego. 

The food, Narcissa remembered.

She rushed to the plate and smelled the cranberry juice only it wasn't cranberry juice. It was blood. Unadulterated blood that had somehow escaped Narcissa's notice. She looked at her exposed hands. They were not grey anymore. Her white complexion had returned. Her head wasn't aching, her throat wasn't sore.

Only to make sure, Narcissa picked at the baguette. The crust fell apart quickly, revealing the hollow part inside it. Narcissa tore it out to find a wand. Not just any wand. Her wand. The wand which had lost somewhere in the forests that Alice had recently been in.

She had solved this on her own that Alice was helping her. Helping her escape.

Love will have its sacrifices. No sacrifice without blood.

Staying away from Draco, her love was Narcissa's sacrifice. What had Alice sacrificed? Narcissa picked up the glass again. Whose blood was it? 

Narcissa looked at Alice. One expression to tell her that she had understood everything. One expression, enough for Alice to question her doubts without uttering a word. One expression for Alice to answer her one last confusion.

Alice rolled her sleeve up to reveal the wound on her left forearm.