Meetings [Wed, March 4th, 2009 @ 11:55pm] alinared Alina waited in an alcove by the side of the house. It was not really stalking - at least, she preferred to think it wasn't. She just happened to know that Alex passed this way every evening on his way to check on the horses. She was interested in Alex. Since coming to the house several weeks ago, she had kept mostly to herself, and though she shared a room with three other girls, she hadn't really spoken to them. They would ask too many questions about her, and she didn't like to answer questions anymore. Alex was different. She had seen him talking to the gardener over dinner. She knew he was the Healer's son, eight years her senior, and his name, but little else. But when she saw how people spoke to him, asked him questions and valued his advice, she found herself becoming... curious. She began watching him from a distance, noticing his knack with animals and his ability to negotiate feuds between housemates. Then there was, of course, the fact that he was extremely good looking. She found herself drawn to him rather inexplicably, and searched longingly for a reason to speak to him. He probably wouldn't look twice at me, she thought privately, her heart jumping a little as she heard footsteps approach. And if he does... what if he finds out? What if he thinks I'm dangerous? She panicked. Forgetting her plan she abandoned her hiding place at exactly the wrong moment, colliding head-on with the person who had been approaching. 115 comments|post comment

Continued. [Sat, January 31st, 2009 @ 7:10pm] hr_neville Neville hitched his rolled up sleeves back over his elbows. He lay back on the scrubby grass, letting the early afternoon sunlight bathe his face. He had been feeling useless in his new surroundings. Everyone around him seemed to be working busily, making plans and Merlin knew what else. No one was exactly eager to share specifics with him. Mostly they whispered behind his back and averted their eyes when he entered a room. It was worse for Narcissa, but he chose to ignore that most of the time. Still, he wished he could do something, and he had told Charlie he wanted to do something. "What are you good at?" the older man asked him, a little distractedly. "Not much," Neville admitted. "Well, I was head of the DA for a while. I can fight." "Well we always need soldiers when the time comes," Charlie told him, sifting through some handwritten, scruffy reports. "You're more than welcome to join us." "I did a lot of guerilla stuff too," he added. "We almost stole the sword from Snape's office." "Key word being almost," Charlie said. "I have my own guys for stealth missions, and no offence but it's way more important and dangerous than schoolkid theft. Anything else?" Neville stood there, crushed. "No," he said rejectedly. "Except growing stuff. Much use that is." "On the contrary," Charlie said, brightening. "You know how rationed we are. There's a sheltered patch out back. So far all we've been able to grow is weeds. If you can bring up some vegetables you'd be saving all our lives." Neville couldn't help feeling that Charlie was exaggering a little to make him feel better, but he happily accepted the responsibility. He had spent a blissful few hours up to his elbows in dirt, and the scrubby patch of land was now converted into a healthy looking vegetable patch. Nothing was growing in it yet, but Neville knew a few spells that would help things along in almost no time at all. He closed his eyes, enjoying the rare sunlight. 107 comments|post comment

[Sat, January 24th, 2009 @ 11:45pm] purebloodcissa It had been a few days, and Cissa hadn't left the infirmary, not once. She slept in the bed next to Neville's, and was constantly caring for him, under the watchful eye of Mr. Pye of course. The two weren't close to friends, but they were quite cordial to each other, speaking pleasantly between themselves as Cissa looked after the father of her child and Mr. Pye took care of the minor injuries that occurred among the group. Charlie and Luna came to check on Neville numerous times throughout each day, but the answer was always the same. "He's still sleeping," she would tell them. They would give her a wary look, then leave, not another word. "Augustus, I'm worried," Cissa said one day. "It's been three days, and he's still not awake. He hasn't eaten anything. This can't be good for him." Biting her lip, she stood and went to the bathroom to dampen the cloth again. His fever had broken the day before, but they were still keeping him cool, hoping it would help bring him round sooner. 146 comments|post comment

[Fri, January 16th, 2009 @ 11:55pm] hr_neville Neville shifted. His whole body ached. One week. That was all he'd had. One week of rest before Lestrange came back in all her shining glory to lay into him again. The House Eleves had hurried him out of his comfortable room to the dark prison of the stone cell, perhaps a month ago. Their deal now expired, he rarely saw Narcissa, except when she occasionally accompanied his food or fresh clothing - he wore out a shirt and trousers every week or so. He didn't speak to her - he didn't see the point, and she seemed reluctant to press the issue. It was perhaps odd to see her so quiet, but he didn't think much of it. Occasionally he would catch her looking at him oddly, but he put it down to her now unsatisfied lustful appetite. He wouldn't have had the energy even if he could bring himself to sleep with her again anyway. It had become gradually easier over that week, even when she forced him to perform twice or even three times a day. He had even caught himself actually enjoying it a couple of times. He'd had plenty of time to punish himself for that though, or rather, let Lestrange do it for him. A House Elf appeared now, and Neville stretched out a hand for his food, forcing himself to a sitting position. He estimated that it was daytime, and that meant Lestrange should be along any minute. But he realised suddenly that the House Elf had no food for him. "What is it?" he croaked. His voice was sore and hoarse from not speaking for weeks, only opening his mouth to scream. The House Elf did not answer, but promptly Apparated him back to the servant's room he had stayed in last time. He jumped, looking around, expected to see Narcissa nearby - perhaps naked on the bed - but she was nowhere to be seen. "What's going on?" he asked the Elf, who merely pointed to the bathroom and vanished with a pop. Neville sighed. He bathed, which was a welcome relief after a month, and took nearly an hour. His hair was long enough now to wash properly, and he admired it in the mirror. There were scarcely any marks left from the Dark Lord's punishment, and even Lestrange's scars were fading. Despite the daily torture, he had been fed well, though he had little chance to exercise. He looked, if not healthy, then at least not as near to death as he might have. When he came out of the bathroom, there were clothes waiting for him on the bed. They were not the flimsy, floaty material he had grown used to. There was a shirt, a jacket, underwear, a pair of stiff, hardy trousers and riding boots. He stared at them for a while, even venturing so far as to run the material through his fingers. Then he put them on, thinking that he might at least be comfortable while he was figuring it out. He was, though he might not have admitted it to Harry or Hermione or Luna, more used to such clothing, being a Pureblood himself and having been brought up by a woman determined to integrate her wayward grandson into proper society. He glanced around the room, and his eyes fell upon the book he had had to leave behind when he had moved. He fell on it hungrily, opening it to the marked place. He had discovered the library last time and, with Narcissa's permission, had read his way through half a shelf already. He was so engrossed in his reading after a while that he didn't even notice her come in. 167 comments|post comment

[Sat, January 3rd, 2009 @ 10:07pm] purebloodcissa Wrapping her arms around his neck, Cissa smiled and kissed her husband on the lips gently. "Welcome home, love," she said. "Hello my dear," he purred, pulling her away from him and smirking. "Where's the boy?" "What boy?" she asked innocently. "You know very well which boy I mean," he said. "Longbottom. The servants have already told me all about it. I want to see him. You know the rules." She rolled her eyes and pulled away, nodding, a pout on her face. "Of course my love," she said. "Just let me go fetch him." When she turned, he popped her lightly on the bum and she grinned. He sure put on the show of a loving husband well. Her plan had worked out better than she'd hoped. Her brother-in-law nearly jumped at the chance to steal his wife away. They'd be gone a whole week, and she was very excited to have Nevile all to herself. "Neville?" she called when she pushed the door open to his cell. "I've got good news for you." 88 comments|post comment

[Fri, January 2nd, 2009 @ 9:41pm] hr_neville When Neville came to, he was lying on the stone floor again. He could feel the hard surface against the bare skin of his back. When he moved his hand he felt a soft fabric under his hand - at least he was wearing trousers, though they weren't his trousers. He moved his other hand, causing the chain to clink. His fingers came in contact with a ceramic edge. He pulled it towards himself, hearing the slosh of the liquid inside it. Feeling too weak to sit or lift the bowl he turned on his side and lapped at it, not caring if it was water or poison. It tasted like the gift of life. He fell back, memories of the previous day seeping slowly to the forefront of his mind. He groaned. What had he done? What had he allowed...? No, he told himself. He had had no choice. Harry wouldn't have done it, said a nasty voice in his head. Harry would have been braver. Harry's dead, he told the voice, silencing it. He turned to rest his forehead on the cool stone. He was so tired. How long had he slept? He lay for a while, trying to pull his mind into some order. He came fully awake with a start when the click of heels on the stone steps outside his dungeon room reached his ears. "No..." he croaked to himself. The door creaked open. "Hello Puppy!" said a delighted voice, and the dark shape of Bellatrix Lestrange swam into veiw. "Oooh, look at you. Let's get some light in here. Lumos." Her wand tip lit up, and he shut his eyes tight to shield them from the sudden blaze. She laughed. "Look at you all washed and dried," she giggled. "Good old Cissa. And your head's all in one piece again." She tugged at his hair - at least that was no longer agonizing. She sat beside him, humming. "I thought we might forego the curse for a while, Puppy," she said thoughtfully. "I don't want you going crazy on me all too soon. Besides, the Master asked me especially to keep you alive and sane for a while." That was surprising. Neville squinted his eyes open slightly. "Why?" he croaked. "I don't know," she said with obvious disappointment. "Something to do with you and Potter, I suppose. Poor dead Harry." Neville felt his hands quiver with anger. "Don't you say his name," he growled. "You've no right -" Something cold brushed against his cheek and he flinched back. "Now now Puppy, no talkie-backsie," she sing-songed, inching up close to him. He could see her properly now that his eyes were adjusting - the thing in her hand was a long, bright silver knife. "I said we would forego the curse, but that doesn't mean I can't do anything more... phsyical." He pressed himself as close to the wall as he could, shivering. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "I wouldn't want to spoil it for you, Puppy," she said with that mad grin, tracing the line of his jaw with the knife edge. She drew it down to his shoulder and pressed slightly - he hissed as the razor-sharp edge broke the skin. "Nice and easy," she whispered, drawing a red line in blood down his side. He bit his lip against the pain. "Just getting started." She drew back and wiped the blade with her finger, then put her finger to her mouth and hummed with pleasure. Neville thought he might retch. "Mmmm," she sighed. "Pure." "Hardly," he spat. She grinned. "Let's go a little deeper, shall we?" Pain happened. He lost count of how many times he screamed. She seemed to know just where to cut to avoid hitting any major organs, and any really life-threatening wounds she stitched up with a quick spell to stop him bleeding to death. He found himself really wishing she wouldn't. Eventually he passed out again, and when he came to she was washing his face with the rest of the water. "Still with us, Puppy?" she asked, stroking his hair. He grunted. "Good," she said, wiping the encrusted blade of the knife on his shoulder. "That's enough for today. Be a good boy now." 45 comments|post comment

[Thu, December 18th, 2008 @ 2:13pm] hr_neville "Neeeeviillle..." Water splashed on his face and he coughed, shaking his head. Pain had happened. He groaned, and tried to turn his head away from the long cold fingers that stroked his chin. "You need a shave, young man," said the chill-raising voice, and Neville felt the fingers replaced by the tip of a wand. He flinched. "Hush," she whispered. "It won't hurt." He heard the whisper of the spell and felt the short hairs fall off his face. He blinked as the face of Bellatrix Lestrange came foggily into veiw. "Much better," she said, pushing his hair back. He groaned as the burns under the short regrowth came afire under her fingers. "It's all right," she sing-songed. "It's over now. You can rest until tomorrow." Neville's head fell forward as she stood up. She picked up his arm and fastened his wrist to the chain that was embedded in the wall. As soon as she was out of earshot he closed his eyes and curled up around himself and let a low sob escape. 179 comments|post comment

[Wed, November 5th, 2008 @ 9:31am] purebloodcissa Her eyes opening slowly, Cissa looked around the bedroom, trying to forget what day it was. She and Neville had fallen asleep in the bed together after telling Alyssa a long bedtime story, and the toddler slept between them. They were both still asleep, so she took this moment to take it all in, gently touching them both wherever she could reach, never wanting to forget the moment. "We're going to miss you, so much," she whispered as she touched his hair lightly. 8 comments|post comment

[Tue, October 21st, 2008 @ 8:15pm] purebloodcissa Taking a seat on the bed, Cissa grabbed a brush and ran it through her daughter's hair, smiling as the child babbled along. They'd all been staying with Hermione and Draco for a little over a month and though things were good and they were happy, but Cissa couldn't shake the feeling that Neville was just going to barge in one day and tell her he was leaving. Nonetheless, she made the best out of the situation and put on a happy face for everyone, waiting for the day. 200 comments|post comment

[Sun, October 12th, 2008 @ 8:29pm] hr_neville "So... where are we going?" Neville asked, looking out of the window of the taxi. He was in the front seat - Narcissa and Alyssa sad huddled in the back. Narcissa did not look well - Neville couldn't decide whether it was the distinctly non-magical motion of the vehicle as it bumped along the French country lanes, or the smell of unwashed feet and cigarettes that permeated the car. The driver glanced at the map Narcissa had given him and made a sharp turn. Neville saw Narcissa turn slightly green in the rear veiw mirror. 155 comments|post comment

[Wed, September 17th, 2008 @ 12:11am] purebloodcissa Alyssa hitched up on her hip, and a small bag in hand, Cissa hurried down the steps of the house, headed to the basement. Bosun had learned to stay out of her way when she went down there, so he busied himself elsewhere, cleaning and the like. "Neville," Cissa said as she walked down the stairs, setting Alyssa down once she got there. "Get anything down here you want together. We're leaving in ten minutes." 112 comments|post comment

[Thu, September 11th, 2008 @ 12:05am] hr_neville Lucius paced the kitchen, feeling red hot anger surge through his veins. Narcissa had denied him - again. His patience had worn to the thinness of paper, and now she was tearing holes in it. Bosun came around the doorframe. "She's putting the girl to bed, Master," he rasped. The man's throat was bruised as a result of the Longbottom boy's latest escape attempt. There had been three so far, and the boy was on suspended rations and no contact with Alyssa as punishment. No matter how close he came to putting all of them in impossible danger, Narcissa still refused to let Lucius cage him again. His nostrils flared at the thought of it. She had changed, it was true. She had become bolder, somehow more forceful - especially where her two little tag-alongs were concerned. And Lucius had just about had enough. "Hungry, Master?" Bosun mumbled, pottering around the pantry. "No," he said sharply. "I couldn't eat." "You ought to eat something, Master." "Bosun, if you start telling me what to do, I will lock you in the basement." "Very well, Master." Lucius slapped the surface of the side bench, swearing. "I don't understand her," he growled. "He is a risk to her safety and mine, and even to that brat she cares so much about. Why does she insist on keeping him on this silver chain like a prize poodle?" Bosun paused in his chore as though wondering whether he was supposed to answer. "Well I know why," Lucius continued, his rant getting rapider. "Because she 'loves' him, or did. Nonsense - who's loved her all these years, that's what I'd like to know - me, that's who - how can she love something that will never love back, it makes no sense." "Perhaps he does, Master," Bosun muttered. "What?" "Love her back, Master." Lucius' blood froze. "Don't be ridiculous." "My apologies, Master." "Do you think... you don't think... no, I forbade her to touch him." "Of course, Master." "Godsdamnit, they've been continuing their sordid affair right under my roof!" "I wouldn't know, Master. The Mistress has me stand outside the door." "And well I know it. I assumed there was nothing going on because I assumed he didn't care for her, but if -" his hands flew to the key on his belt. "I'll be back later. Not a word to Narcissa." He swept downstairs, taking them two at a time, barely able to control the rising storm of anger as he slammed the door open. "You!" he yelled, as Longbottom stood up from the writing desk. "Come here." The boy stayed where he was. Lucius took a few steps forward, fuming. "Come here," he repeated. The boy stepped into the light, and Lucius' lip curled. One lip and one eyebrow were caked in dried blood and a bruise was coming up on his chin. "Yessir?" he said glumly. Lucius hand shot forward and grasped a fistful of the boy's shirt. "Call me 'Master', boy, or lose your tongue." Longbottom frowned. "With all due respect sir, I'm not a slave any longer. I'll call you sir because you feed me and technically I'm only alive at your mercy, but you don't own me. No one does." Lucius backhanded him so hand that he stumbled backwards, held up only by Lucius' grip on his shirt. "Silence! I've had enough of you, do you understand? Your pathetic escape attempts have tried my patience to its last sliver." He looked down at the fistful of material he held, and he frowned. "Are you wearing my...?" "You can have it back," Longbottom said. "I never asked for it." "Why, you -" A blast from Lucius' wand sent the boy careening back into the wall, where he fell, apparently seeing stars. "To think I would want anything you have touched is an insult," he snapped. "But Narcissa will pay for giving you that." "She was only trying to help," the boy grunted, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh?" Lucius growled, twirling his wand in his fingers. "'Help' you often, does she?" "She saved my life," the boy said, quite grudgingly, Lucius thought. "At least twice. It's probably the only reason she's not in Azkaban." A deadly smile spread over Lucius face. "That... and the fact that you lied in court to protect her." The dark brown eyes widened. "How did you -" "You'd be surprised at how much I know. Tell me Longbottom, do you love my wife?" "What? No, of course -" "She loves you. She told me herself." "She doesn't really, she just thinks she -" "When was the last time you kissed her, Longbottom?" The boy stared up at him, apparently sensing the madness impending in his voice. "I... I don't... a long time ago, probably." "Probably? Not covering for anything more recent, are we?" "I haven't touched her," Neville said promptly. "And she -" "I don't believe you," Lucius said shortly. His wand twitched and Neville was brought up tightly against the wall, where he struggled. "Let me go!" "Not until you tell me the truth." "I didn't do anything!" "You tried to escape. Three times." "I want to go home!" "Why? There's nothing waiting for you there. My sources tell me your girlfriend's already 'shacked up' with some other 'sucker', and your friends all think you're aiding the enemy." "Dean doesn't think that," Neville said, though the comment about Melissa added some uncertainty to his voice. "Don't be so sure," Lucius said, enjoying the game. "Have you had sex with my wife?" The boy gave up struggling against the magical bonds and slumped against the wall. "What do you think?" "This week?" "No." "Crucio!" Lucius found the sound of screams quite refreshing. After a while he could hear banging at the door, and he sighed and lifted the curse. "Your knight in shining lace has arrived," he sneered, kicking the twitching body on the floor. It moaned. Struck by sudden inspiration, Lucius levitated the body onto the bed and added some loose bonds for good measure before going back up the stairs. 86 comments|post comment

[Thu, August 28th, 2008 @ 2:21pm] purebloodcissa Leaving Alyssa in Lucius' care was tense for Cissa, since she didn't know what would happen, given her husband's views on certain things. It needed to be done though, since Cissa couldn't have her daughter with her while she was releasing Neville from his cage and working on his room. She kissed her daughter and her husband, retrieving the key from him and meeting Bosun at the door to Alyssa's bedroom. "Let's go," she told the old man. Once they got to the basement door and it was open, Cissa started down the stairs first, giving the servant a look to keep him at the top. She didn't need him down there, watching her while she fought with Neville, which she knew was going to happen. "Neville," she said as she got to the bottom of the stairs. "It's me again. I've got good news for you." 170 comments|post comment

[Tue, August 26th, 2008 @ 9:06am] purebloodcissa The past few days at the new house had been lovely. Even though Alyssa was toddling around the house, Lucius and Narcissa acted like newlyweds, always sneaking off for a quick rendezvous in some quiet corner. It was so happy, except that Cissa hasn't seen Neville since the first day, and Lucius always kept the basement locked. So early one morning, while Lucius was still sleeping, Cissa tip toed out of bed and grabbed the key from the robes that had been hastily discarded the night before. It didn't take long to reach the basement door, just some clever and quiet moving to avoid Bosun, who was always puttering about the house, and in a few moments she was down the stairs sitting by Neville's cage. He was so ragged looking, it nearly broke her heart. "Neville," she said softly, waiting for him to wake up. 66 comments|post comment

Disguises. [Thu, August 21st, 2008 @ 9:28pm] hr_neville They led him down the long corridor to the room where Narcissa was waiting. Taking a deep breath, he thanked the guard and let himself in. "Hello?" 175 comments|post comment

[Sun, August 10th, 2008 @ 10:10pm] purebloodcissa Setting the box down on the table, Cissa wiped her forehead and poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the table before sitting down and resting. It wasn't easy lugging a box full of potions and little girl's dresses to the visitation room from her unit, but she was happy to do it. Alyssa was growing more and more each day, so she was always having to make new dresses or jumpers or things like that. And it seemed the hospital needed more and more potions every day. The past few weeks had been wonderful for her, more than she'd expected anyway. They were able to rescue her wedding dress (after much begging and pleading), and she was eternally grateful. It hung in the back of her wardrobe, pristine as ever. She would look at it occasionally, before she went about brewing potions or making clothes for her daughter. Now all that was left was to wait for Neville and Alyssa to come visit her and give them the items. 64 comments|post comment

[Sat, August 9th, 2008 @ 3:44pm] hr_neville "You're late," she said when he came through the door. "I know," he replied, too tired to argue the point. "Sorry." Melissa sighed. "It's not that I mind," she lied, not fooling him one bit, "but you know she won't go to sleep until you come home." He gave her a hard look. "This can't go on forever, you know," he said. "She has to learn to listen to you." She drew herself up, with the air of someone who'd been rehearsing what they were about to say. "Why should she? I'm not her mother. I never asked for the responsibility of looking after her." Neville frowned. "It's not like you've got anything else to do, but if you want me to get someone else to watch her..." "That's not the point," she said, pouting. He'd used to think it was sweet, now it was just annoying. "I never got any say when you took her in. I'm not ready for a three year old, Neville -" "Well, you've got one," Neville said crossly, pushing past her. "It's not fair!" she continued, stamping her foot, apparently oblivious to his growing anger. "She hates me - I'm the evil stepmother, suddenly! And I'm not the one who hurt all those people - " "Shhhh," Neville said, with a glance toward the boxroom door. It was a small room, but the room he and Melissa slept in wasn't much bigger. "She doesn't hate you. She misses Narcissa, that's all." "Well, maybe you should tell her the truth for once," Melissa snapped. "So she'll stop asking when 'Mummy' is coming back." Neville stared at her. "You haven't..." "No, of course not," she sighed. "She wouldn't listen to me, anyway. Look, it doesn't help, you taking her to visit that woman every week. Can't you just stop going? She'll soon forget about it and then maybe it'll be easier..." "I can't," Neville said. "You know that." "Why not? She can't do anything about while she's locked up." Neville shook his head. There was no way he could explain it to her so that she would understand. He barely understood it himself. "I'll talk to her." "Thank you." Melissa stroked her belly and Neville bit back a groan. Every time he felt close to taking Alyssa and leaving Melissa to her own devices, she did something to remind him that she was pregnant and would be totally helpless without him. He wasn't totally sure that she didn't do it on purpose. She reached for his sleeve. "Then... come to bed." He shrugged. "I'm pretty tired, Lissa." "You're always tired." "So would you be." "Neville, come on. It's been nearly two months and you've barely touched me." She bit her lip. "Is it... is it because of Gregory?" "No," he said quickly. "It's not you, I just..." he shrugged again. "It's just not my thing." "It used to be," she said. "I used to not have any choice," he retorted. She flinched, and he knew he'd hit a nerve. "I didn't think you felt like that," she said in a hurt voice. "You said you didn't." "It doesn't change the fact that I've never in my life had sex while it was my idea," he said. "I'm still getting used to the concept." It was a dodgy white lie, but it was enough to get her to leave him alone, anyway. He sighed. She even walked huffily. When he opened the door to Alyssa's bedroom, he knew immediately that she wasn't asleep. Her breathing was quick and she had her eyes shut so tight that they wrinkled at the corners. "Hey kiddo," he said, sitting on the bed beside her. She opened her eyes and yawned, convincingly. "Nice try," he said smiling. She cuddled up to him, burying her face in his shirt. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked. "Were you listening to us fight?" She nodded. "Don't like it," she mumbled. "Yeah, me neither," he said, stroking her hair. "But you know, grown ups fight sometimes. Why weren't you asleep, though?" "Waiting for you," she said, sniffing. "Hey," he said, snuggling down beside her. "What's the matter?" "I miss Mummy," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. He sighed and hugged her close. "I know," he said. "Me too." He was surprised to find it was actually true. "She used to take care of us, didn't she?" She nodded again. "But we've got to take care of each other now, yeah? That's what Mummy asked us to do. I look after you, don't I?" "You keep going away," she said, in a tone so accusatory he felt quite taken aback. "Yes," he said. "But only because I have to try and help people who are very very sick and need my help. And I'll always come home to you, I promise." She nodded again, as though granting him acquiescence. "So, you've got to do something for me," he said. "When I'm not here, Melissa sets the rules, okay? You have to go to sleep when she tells you to, even if I'm not home yet. You'll always see me in the morning." "What if I don't?" she asked, and he realised what the problem was. She was afraid he, like everyone else in her life so far, would leave her. "You will," he promised, putting his arm around her. "You understand why Mummy had to go away, right?" She nodded. This at least, she had been drilled in until she understood. "She was naughty." "Very," Neville said. He couldn't imagine lying to her about it. "So she has to stay in that place for a while until she's paid for being naughty." "Why doesn't she say sorry?" Neville almost smiled. "I wish it was as simple as that, kid. But I'm not going to go away, yeah? Because I haven't been naughty." "Good doggy," she agreed. He did smile then. "Hey, what happened to calling me Neville?" he said. "I'm your brother remember, not a pet." "Neville," she corrected herself, yawning. She was asleep within a few seconds. Neville curled himself around her tiny frame and let himself drift off, forgetting momentarily about his girlfriend, waiting for him in the next room. By the time he would have remembered, he was already asleep. post comment

[Wed, July 30th, 2008 @ 9:42am] purebloodcissa Pulling her quit up around her waist, Cissa settled into her bed and grabbed a book of her night stand. It was a Muggle book, but it was the only one in the unit that had interested her. Besides, she'd read the other Wizard books already. She was having an interesting time settling into the prison camp. The people were nice enough, but Cissa could definitely sense a false kindness in their words and actions. But who could blame them? They were stuck in a job having to be nice to people who were persecuting them just a few months before. And as for the other prisoners? They accepted their duties and did as they were told, but Cissa knew it was all an act. No matter what happened, no matter how nicely they were treated or what privileges they were given, they would still hate people who weren't of pureblood. She sighed and rubbed her forehead before setting the book to the side. She'd only gotten through a few pages, but she couldn't concentrate. Her first visitation was only two days away and she spent almost every waking moment thinking about seeing Neville and her daughter again. "Not a good book?" a man's voice asked from the doorway, causing Cissa to jump. She stared hard but couldn't see the face. She knew the voice, but couldn't place it. "Who's there?" she asked, not getting out of bed. There was a soft laugh from the doorway and the man came into the room and shut the door behind him. "It's me," he said, turning around. "Neville!" Cissa exclaimed, jumping up out of the bed and running to him. "What are you doing here? Visitation isn't until tomorrow and even then I don't believe you're allowed in the units." "Don't worry about how I got here," Neville said, raising a hand to stroke Cissa's cheek. "What matters is that I'm here. Are you alright?" She nodded and leaned into his hand. Something wasn't right, but she wasn't about to pull away. "I'm fine," she said. "Especially now. Why are you here?" "Isn't it obvious?" he asked with a grin. "I came to see you, Narcissa. I missed you." Moving his hand to hold the back of her head, he came in and pulled her to him for a deep kiss. She was confused, but Cissa held tight to him and kissed him back with everything she had, giving just as much as him, but begging for more. "What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly when they pulled apart for breath. "What about Melissa?" "Shh," he said, putting a finger to her lips and walking her backwards to her bed. "No one else is here right now. Forget Melissa, forget this place, it's just you and me, alright?" After a pause, she grinned softly and nodded. This couldn't have been her Neville. Neville loved Melissa, she knew that. But right now he wanted her, and that’s exactly what he would get. She got comfortable as he laid her down on the bed and began undressing both of them. Soon they were both naked and rutting around the bed like they never had before. Cissa arched her back and cried out with every thrust Neville made deep inside of her. He grabbed and twisted her nipples and hair and anything else he could reach, causing her moans to echo off the walls. "I love you," she breathed as he pounded into her, and as she pulled at his shaggy hair, she caught a smile on his face. "I love you too, Cissa," he said, and made one final thrust before his release came, hers following closely behind. It was bittersweet, even as a dream. But it felt so good, and he was just so perfect. She couldn't help but believe it. Suddenly two big burly men burst through the door and grabbed Neville by his arms, pulling him out of the bed and away from Cissa. "No!" she cried, gathering her dress around her chest and jumping up. "Don't take him away! I love him!" The two men didn't say a thing, just glared at Cissa as they took Neville away. Neville screamed and kicked to be let go, but it didn't work, and Cissa stared from her doorway as they were separated again. Then, in the cold darkness of her room, Cissa sat up, sweat running down her face. "It was a dream," she said, feeling over her face and body and searching the room for Neville or anyone else. There wasn't anyone there. She knew there wouldn't be. "If only," she said remorsefully, and then groaned as her hands reached between her legs. Of course. She sighed and got out of bed to change before heading back to sleep, hoping she didn't have a similar dream. One was enough to remind her of what she had lost. The next morning she got out of bed and sighed. "Visitation day," she mumbled to herself as she got up and made her way to the shower. Once she was cleaned up and dressed, she headed downstairs for breakfast, it wasn't her day to cook, and she (along with everyone else in the unit) was very pleased. Cissa tried, she really did, but living with house elves and slaves all of her life hadn't taught her how to cook, and now that she was learning, it was taking a while. It wasn't long before Jessica was at the door, knocking for Cissa to come out, she was going to lead her to the visitation room. The visitation room was in the main building and was a large room with a couch and a few chairs, and a table if visitation happened to fall at a meal time. It was comfortable and clean, but it still gave off that "institution feel." Cissa wishes they could come see her at the unit, it was much more homey, but she was told it would be a few months, maybe even a year, before they could be allowed access to the unit. "We'll lead them in as soon as they get here," Jessica said, leading Cissa in. "Just wait here." "Thank you," she said, then took a seat on the couch to wait. She wondered who would come. Would he bring Melissa with him? She hoped not, but it would be fine if he did. They were nearly a family now anyway, and she should be happy for him. 102 comments|post comment

The First Day [Sun, July 20th, 2008 @ 11:22pm] purebloodcissa Her night in the holding cell hadn't been pleasant, but Cissa made the best of it, eating her cold porridge hastily and humming herself to sleep. It was a simple tune, just something she hummed while rocking Alyssa and made up as she went along. She was given a blanket to cover up with and used it to its full potential, huddling in a corner for warmth, hopefully the last time she would have to do so. Early the next morning the guard came back to fetch her, shackling her once more to lead her to the Floo. From there it was only a matter of seconds before she stumbled out of the fireplace in a large room containing three stations, separated from each other by movable walls. "Welcome to the Isle of White Prison Camp," a young woman in a black suit said, walking up to Cissa and motioning for the guard to release her shackles. "You won't need those here." She had a kind face, and Cissa nodded in thanks as the shackles were removed and the guard went back through the fireplace. "Now come with me," the woman said, putting her hand on Cissa's shoulder and leading her to the first area, where there was a desk and two chairs, one for Cissa, the other for a middle-aged man that was sitting at the desk. "Welcome," he said. His face wasn't as kind, but he wasn't disgusted by her either. "We're happy to have you here. We'll be watching your case closely and we hope you make great progress. My name is Warren, and I'm the booking officer here at the camp. This is Jessica," he motioned to the woman. "She'll be your unit leader. You'll meet the other members of your unit later on. Do you have any questions." Cissa gave a nice smile to both of them, then nodded. "Yes, I would like to know when I will learn my visitation rights. I just wish to see my daughter. She's very young, and we've never been apart for more than a few days before." Warren nodded and shifted a few papers on his desk. "I understand completely. I have a young son at home as well. You'll learn your duties and rights soon enough, I promise. You won't leave this room without that knowledge." "Thank you." "Not at all," he said. "Now I need to do your preliminary booking. First your wand will need to be snapped." He noticed Cissa's wince and sighed. "I know, trust me. A wand is an important thing to a witch. I am sorry to have to snap it, but it's regulations." "It's not that," she said. "It just that when I was first bought that wand, my father took it and had my name etched in the handle. I've had my wand for almost forty years and I've never lost it or broken it in any way. Must it really be snapped?" "Unless you have a better idea for it?" Warren asked? Most tried to keep their wands from being destroyed, but he was willing to listen. "Send it to my daughter," she said. "Or, her guardian at least. He'll take good care of it. I know he will. Besides, once I'm released, paroled or not, I'll get a chance to get a new wand, won't I?" Warren nodded. "That's true, yes. Tell you what, I'll set this aside and see what can be done. But I make no promises." He didn't really give Cissa a chance to speak before he continued with her interview, gathering personal information like her name and her birthday and any allergies or medical problems the facility needed to be made aware of. Once that was over, Jessica led Cissa to the next station, where she was stripped down and thoroughly examined. She was bathed and given new clothes to wear, a simple dark blue dress and three extras. Then at the next station was the one Cissa was waiting for. Her duties were explained, as were her visitation rights. She would be delegated to house chores and light yard work for her unit. She had rights to visitation one day a week, for two hours. It was more than she expected and she was very thankful for it. She hated herself for it, but she accepted her fate. She was in prison and she was going to make the most of it. "Alright," Jessica said, leading Cissa out of the main building into the compound yard. It was a magnificent looking place. There was the main building behind them, and many smaller houses surrounded by low fences spread out. "This is the main compound. Each building is a unit house. There are five people in a unit. You each have your own bedrooms, but there are two bathrooms to a house and one kitchen and living area, as well as a sitting room that will be used for therapy sessions, both group and individual. Each person is assigned a job. Two people are assigned house chores, like you. Two people are to do the heavy yard work and outside repairs, the building need plenty of maintenance, and one person is assigned to inside repairs. Everyone shares the light yard work duties." Just as she finished explaining, they came up to the gate of Cissa's unit house. "Unit Twelve," she muttered, taking in the outside of the house. It was simple and plain, but it was a house. Not a cell in a dungeon, which Cissa was thankful for. Jessica gave her a reassuring smile before opening the gate for her, leading her in to meet the other unit members and get settled into her new life. Holding her extra clothes in her arms, Cissa followed, waiting patiently for her seventh day at the camp when she would be able to see Neville and her daughter once more. post comment

[Sat, July 19th, 2008 @ 10:51pm] purebloodcissa The time had come for Cissa's trial, and she was ready. She wasn't the first, but she wasn't the last either. Others before her had gotten a mix of sentences, prison, community service, and house arrest among them. A few, very few, were found innocent and sent upon their way, but most were found guilty of something in some way. Though she was a proud woman, Cissa hoped that the court would find some mercy on her, at least allowing her to see her child occasionally during the sentence she was sure to receive. Somehow she had managed to convince one of the guards to get her permission to be led up to her bedroom to change into a clean dress and bathe for her trial, but as soon as she entered her room she wished she hadn't. Things were thrown everywhere and her bedding was rumpled, obviously slept in. She wasn't pleased, but when she got to her dressing room she nearly broke down into tears at what she saw. Clothes were everywhere. Hers and Lucius' things ripped and tossed all over the room. Many of her dresses were missing, but there was one silver lining. In the back of her closet, her wedding gown still hung, as clean and pristine as it was the day she wore it to walk down the aisle. Thanking Salazar for that small fact, she quickly bathed and dressed and allowed herself to be shackled and led away. They took the Floo to the Ministry, and Cissa was led down a long hallway, down an elevator, and another, longer hallway, until they came to a large set of doors. "They're waiting," her guard said. "I know," she replied, waiting until he opened the doors before she walked in, closely followed be him. Things hadn't changed much in the courts, they still resembled what they had been before Voldemort had taken power, and Cissa did a small curtsy in front of them before looking up at their faces. "Your Honors," she said, trying to be proud in the face of all that was happening. 28 comments|post comment

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