Chapter 20
Lucius and Narcissa watched their husband delve into his father’s mind. Severus was always skilled at mind work and knew what he was doing. They were curious to know what it was that he found as he flinched back in pain. His usually stoic face was the picture of shock, wide eyed and mouth slightly agape. His hands had begun to shake slightly, and they resisted the urge to pull him from Tom’s mind, but they thought better of it since they knew that doing so could cause irreversible damage for the both of them. A tear ran down the man’s cheek and Narcissa reached out for Lucius who in turn gripped her hand tightly in his. Severus was only gone for a few more moments before he opened his mouth and uttered a name that confused them to their very core.
“Regulus.”
Narcissa felt her heart constrict at the name. Regulus and she had been close growing up. All of them had, but when they started school it felt like they all separated. Sirius had been sorted into Gryffindor and had all but turned his back on his brother and cousins. Their relationship only got worse when they graduated and took up their dark marks. Even beforehand, Lucius had begun to spend much more time together. Bella and Rodolphus had already graduated a year earlier and were married so they had their own time together, but they still kept in contact. That only left Narcissa, Lucius, Severus and Regulus. The four of them bonded over familial issues and the dark arts. When the first war came about, Regulus had been loyal to say the least, and Tom had trusted him without a doubt which was why it was usually him that went on missions for him. When he had gone missing, it had thrown them for a loop. They had searched everywhere until they had lost hope and stopped looking.
Severus exited his father’s mind with a pained gasp. His feet felt like they weren’t working and it was Lucius who moved to catch him under the arms. He was lowered down onto the couch. Both husband and wife bracketed their lover and intertwined their fingers with his. It helped ease his shaking and pulled him back to the present. Tom looked a bit better than his son, although he was no less shocked. He had always been honest with himself about Regulus’s disappearance. Something about it seemed so sudden. Plus, he had never created a mental connection between any of them. Sure, they all bore a mark that let them feel his presence, but no one had ever been mentally connected. It was so confusing and he knew he needed answers.
Severus looked up at his father. His eyes were dilated and he looked absolutely spooked.
“What does all of this mean?”
“What did you see, love?” Narcissa asked before Tom could open his mouth to reply. Her heart was racing at the possible idea that her cousin was actually alive.
“He’s alive.” Severus turned his eyes to her sharp blue ones. “At least I think he is. If the connection is anything to go by. I couldn’t make out where he was or is. I just know he’s being chained up somewhere.”
“Peculiar”
Everyone turned to look at Tom who had a confused look on his face.
“What do you mean?” The Lady Malfoy asked.
“If my hunches are correct then Dumbledore is behind this somehow. I’m still not completely sure how, but I feel like he connected us somehow. I just want to know how and most importantly why.”
“How exactly will we find that out?” Lucius asked.
Tom shook his head. “I haven’t figured that out yet. I know for certain that I won’t be able to ask any questions or get any leads if I can’t get in contact with Regulus.”
“But Severus could.” It was more of a statement than a question. Tom nodded.
“It would appear so. I have tried to get past that barrier and every time I have it has caused me tremendous pain. And if Regulus are indeed linked then I know it hurt him as well.”
“Father”
Tom turned his attention to his son who had been silent during his whole exchange.
“Do you think we could find a way to break it? He knows that he’s connected to you and he seemed to recognize me. I guess he’s still sane but I’m not sure how long that is going to last.”
“I will do more research. If I know Dumbledore, I can say that he does nothing without a reason behind it.”
A sense of trepidation fell over the group. No one said a word, opting instead to run through their own thoughts. When the silence was getting to be too much, Severus spoke.
“We’ve talked to Harry about us adopting him.”
Tom looked at his son, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He had a feeling that he would, he just didn’t think it would be so soon.
“And what has he had to say about that?”
“He wants to get to know us more. He has said that he feels safe here but he is scared, which is understandable to say the least.”
Folding his hands over his lap, Tom leaned back against the couch he was sitting on.
“And what do you plan to do to change that?”
“Well. it’s still early in the break and it is getting closer to that time of year when we head out to France.”
Severus looked at his husband and wife to gage whether they understood what he was getting out, and thought it was a good idea.
A smile broke out on Narcissa’s face. “That is a wonderful idea, Severus.”
“I agree,” Lucius nodded. “Time away from here might get him to open up.”
Tom had to agree that it seemed like a well enough idea, but if he was being honest with himself he was a little apprehensive about it just because he knew it wasn’t just going to be them. They were going to stay with Lucius’s cousin Eleanor. While the woman herself was a gem to be around and had a knack for children, she herself had two children between she and her wife. Harry was just getting used to Draco, and he wondered if it was a good idea to add so much too quickly for the child. He decided to voice his worries.
“I do think it is a great idea, but I am curious: are you going to stay with Eleanor and Marjorie?”
Narcissa nodded, her face contorted in confusion.
“Yes. we stay there every year.”
Severus glanced at his father. “Why do you ask?”
The man shrugged. “I am just wondering if it is such a good idea to unload so much onto Harry in such a short period of time.”
The trio thought for a moment.
“Harry would love it there-”
“I have no doubt,” Tom interrupted. “I just meant that they also have children. Do you think he will be okay with that?”
Severus understood his father’s concern, but he shook it off.
“Harry will be fine. Jean and Ash are both good boys. Draco loves them and they are both very gentle young men.”
“There is still some weeks before we leave for the trip. Plus we will inform Eleanor that circumstances are slightly different. I know that she and Marjorie will keep their children up to date.”
“As long as you are sure.”
They nodded.
“Everything will be fine, Tom.”
Narcissa threw him a reassuring smile. He returned the smile. Of course he trusted them to do right for their children, and he knew that should things change the trio would be smart about what is best for their children.
“Well,” he said as he stood up. “I must be getting back. I will be back possibly tomorrow, but I will inform you if I find some information about the link.”
They walked him to the floo. When he was gone, they sat together. Narcissa sat on Severus’s lap with her legs stretched out across Lucius. Reaching up, she ran her fingers through her husband’s dark shoulder length hair.
“He does have a point though.”
“He does, but we will inform Elle of Harry beforehand. In fact, I will send you an owl this evening. I should hear back from her tomorrow and we will go from there.”
Narcissa smiled. “Good.” Lady Malfoy leaned down and tucked her face in the juncture of Severus’s neck. She let her lips ghost over the pulse point in his neck, which just so happened to be his sweet spot. The potions master shivered under her and she felt his hands come around her waist.
“Cissa”
Her name came out in a warning growl. Although it was meant to be threatening, it only served to send chills down her spine. Looking up from under her lashes, she met Lucius’s silver eyes when he squeezed her calf.
“Really, Cissa?” Lucius threw a teasing smirk in her direction. From his spot next to Severus he could already make out the growing tent in his lap.
“Did you see how he was last night, Lucius? Taking care of our sweet little boy. He’s such a good daddy.”
Her voice dropped as she continued littering kisses up and down the column of Severus’s neck. Red tinted lips stopped at the man’s pulse point and proceeded to suck pulling a groan from his lips. A much louder moan escaped his mouth as he felt Luciusshift from his side and placed opened mouth kisses on the other side of his neck.
The blond pulled back and smiled at their wife.
“You are right, my love. Our dear heart is an excellent father. Ever since our little dragon was born.”
Narcissa shifted in his lap and sat to where she was sitting directly on top of the bulge in his trousers. She shifted her hips down pulling another groan from their love.
“And just think,” she said as she ground her hips. “Another little one to call our own. We have always wanted another.”
The pair spoke so casually as if they weren’t in the middle of tormenting him with their touches.
“Cissa. Luce,” He moaned.
“What do you need, dear heart?” The malfoy patriarch cooed.
Severus opened his eyes to look at his husband. When had he closed them? Onyx eyes met molten silver and a shiver ran down his spine.
“Touch me. Please.”
“Listen to him, darling.” He said to Narcissa. “Already begging and we have barely gotten started.”
Narcissa chuckled.
“Tell me love,” she spoke low enough that only her two lovers could hear her. And Lucius had to admit that there was stirring inside his own trousers. “Do you want us to ravage you here or in our bedroom? We still have quite some time before the boys wake up from their nap.”
“B-bed,” he moaned. “Bedroom.”
He let out a disappointed groan when the delicious pleasure he was receiving vanished. A pale hand appeared in front of him and he looked up at his lovers who were both smirking at him. He wrapped his fingers around Narcissa’s outstretched hand.
“Come on, my love. We have much to discuss.”
She led him to the staircase and up to their bedroom, Lucius following in the rear. Oh, yes, they truly did.