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The worst summer of Narcissa’s life just passed. Andromeda disappeared into thin air with that… thing just after graduation, their parents mourned her as if she were dead, and Bellatrix was utterly blinded by rage. Narcissa felt completely alone.
She spent long, sleepless nights tracing the hole Aunt Walburga had burned over her sister’s portrait. The tapestry hung in the sitting room, magically linked to its kin in Grimmauld Place. She swore sometimes she could still feel the embers, but the pain soothed her. It made it all real, in a world that had ceased to make sense.
Only one thing alleviated her suffering, and it came in the form of black ink, soft parchment that smelled like tobacco and vanilla, velvet bows, and a pale barn owl gently tapping on her window pane.
“Dearest Narcissa,
I’ve heard what happened. I’m… speechless.
If you need anything, please let me know.
I’m here for you at all times.
I’ll do anything,
L.A.M.”
All summer long, Lucius checked in on her. She didn’t always respond at first, but then she slowly opened up about what truly was going on behind closed doors. She hid his letters in the closet, but occasionally she took one out and slipped it under her pillow. It felt reassuring, and it smelled so good. It reminded her of the time he’d taken her to the Astronomy Tower.
Weeks passed, owl after owl, and they both started giving into something… more.
“Dear Lucius,
This week has been hell, like the last one and the one before that. I won't annoy you with the same things I’ve been telling you all summer. It’s pointless. If only we could be somewhere else…
Hoping September comes soon,
N.B.”
September came. When they finally reunited, Lucius was greeted with the best Hogwarts Express trip of his life.
“I really wanted to thank you for your letters this summer,” Narcissa said, while closing their carriage door and waving her wand in a gesture that looked suspiciously close to an imperturbable charm. “I’ve really… felt your presence.”
“You’re” — Lucius was distracted by the sudden weight on his lap; she shifted until it felt just right — “so, so welcome, Cissa.”
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From that point on, she expressed her gratitude pretty much everywhere: the library, the sofa in the common room, the Astronomy Tower, the locker room… Lucius had his theories on why Narcissa was less shy and composed all of a sudden, but at the end of the day, he didn’t really care. If her sister’s misconduct is what it took to be sent straight to snogging heaven, so be it.
Until one day.
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“Oh dear, is everything alright? Is someone bothering you?”
That sounded like the voice of an angel to a scared eleven year old boy sniffling in a corner of the Slytherin common room. And when he turned, he realised she even looked like an angel. And how could anyone possibly have the nerve to talk to an angel? So he just nodded.
“Boys can be cruel… I know one just your age. The first few weeks are always the worst. Tell me, what’s your name?”
“It’s… Severus.”
The angel rewarded him with a warm smile that complemented her rosy cheeks.
“Well, nice to meet you, Severus.” She extended her hand. “I’m Narcissa. You can come to me if anyone bothers you again.”
Her skin felt incredibly soft. It must’ve been the touch of an angel.
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The next day, the first year was blessed with the same touch again, but on his shoulder at breakfast.
“Lucius, have you met Severus?”
“No, I have not. Why?” said Lucius, glancing at the skinny boy rather dismissively.
“Well, he’s new, and I’m sure he could use help from someone as… knowledgeable as yourself. Please, Lucius, keep an eye out for him?”
“... Sure thing,” he answered, though his eyebrow was still raised.
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In the ensuing weeks, naughty promises written on scraps of parchment slipped carefully under their desks became a lapidary “Sorry Lucius, I have to help Severus study. Come with me?”
Lucius complied, since he could still rest his hand on her soft thigh while pretending to read, but also because he was trying to prove something.
He’d noticed those black doe eyes staring at his girl. Severus was just a kid, and a half-blood at that; he didn’t stand a chance against someone like Lucius, but something didn’t add up. It was like he played dumb when they studied together. Lucius had asked around to confirm that he was, in fact, playing dumb, as his grades suggested.
So one day, Lucius decided to confront him. After yet another study session in the library, he said, “Don’t worry, Cissa, I’ll take Severus to his next class. I’ll see you in the common room. Right, Sev?” and grinned.
“... Right.”
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“So, Snape… Are you enjoying your afternoons with Narcissa?”
“She’s… very kind to me.”
“Oh, I know she is. But remember, she’s graduating next year. She’s won’t be here to protect you for much longer” Lucius feigned worry.
“I know. You’re graduating this year, right? She’ll be the only friend I’ll have in Slytherin. Poor me.” Was that a pout on his face?
Lucius smirked. He couldn’t even be mad; the boy knew how to play. He was almost... cute, in his attempt to be cunning. Maybe this was what Narcissa had seen in him.
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After escorting Severus to his Potions class, he headed to the common room, but Narcissa was nowhere to be found. He returned to his dorm to fix himself up a bit, but halted at the door . There, waiting on his bed, lay what could only be described as an angel. Golden curls spread over his pillow, sapphire eyes staring half-lidded at him, and a perfect body draped in his shirt. By the way it hugged her figure, he just knew she wore nothing underneath.
“Cissa, what are you…” Lucius had the dumbest look on his face, unable to keep his mouth closed.
“You’re so patient with little Severus… I love watching you two bond. Come here,” she whispered, gently patting on his bed, "let me thank you properly.”
And that was the day Lucius Malfoy decided that Severus Snape was the best kid ever.
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