the greengrass

Camilla noticed the hint of smugness in his smile and raised an eyebrow. She supposed he could be smug, he had successfully broken her out of school and pulled off an excellent surprise. Also if they were caught, he wouldn’t have to deal with the consequences, hell her father might even make Camilla marry him earlier than planned. “I prefer to just take what I want.” She flirted back sweetly, not letting go of his arm. Camilla could be incredibly affectionate, but she was much more restrained around their families. The few intimate moments they’d had alone had been a bit rushed, and there was something enticing about an entire weekend to take their time. For Adrian to really know her, and for her to know him. Almost like playing house. 

She knew she fucked up the moment the words left her mouth, and Camilla was shocked he didn’t ask right then, instead gave her another kiss. Perhaps he wanted to wait until she had a few drinks, or felt comfortable and safe before pressing about her home life. Adrian appeared them and Camilla winced, she hated it, but knew it was necessary. 

The house was stunning, exactly the kind of old world glamor and romanticism she’d expected. Camilla let go of his arm and walked around the foyer, fingers brushing lightly over a side table as she idly dreamed of a life spent here, away from the pain and coming storm in England. She turned back to face him with a smile. “It’s perfect.” Camilla closed the distance between them, uncharacteristically shy now that they were alone. “I am not hungry but if you are I don’t mind. And I have no idea what I want to see, surprise me.” The mischievous light came back into her eyes as she demanded he take control of her entertainment. 

“Very well, darling,” he teased her, enjoying the way Camilla was flirting with him. Adrian ran his hand along her jawline once more before they apparated, still so surprised that she was with him. Though he supposed he had done more than enough to ensure that. At least things were better now.

He did not want to think about killing his future father-in-law before he was married, though at the moment Adrian was sorely tempted. Camilla had never given him much, but what she had given him, Adrian had interpreted and extrapolated. He hoped he was wrong – he needed to be wrong 

Lucius nearly challenged Adrian over being told he wasn’t allowed to see his wife, but he had already settled on not seeing her until she felt ready to speak to him. A slight glare was all he managed in response.

“I realize that now,” He grimaced. Lucius ground his teeth together to keep from saying something stupid. He already accepted there was no way of proving his worth at this point in the conversation, so keeping quiet felt like the best option. “Safe,” His voice cracked, face paling when he spoke the word. “And the– I presume she mentioned the baby?”

The glare made Adrian want to laugh - what had happened to Lucius of all people? He was not used to Lucius being so complacent, though he did nothing but let his lips thin. “Good,” he said, his smirk growing. He was tempted to throw another spell at Lucius, though he tempered the want. 

“Yes,” he said with venom in his tone. “Yes, she mentioned the baby.” He could have drawn this out, could have made Lucius feel even worse. But the pain was also Narcissi’s and Adrian could not mock it at the moment. He let out a soft sigh and ran his hand over his jawline. “The baby did not survive,” he said bluntly, a fire behind his eyes as he looked at Lucius. “Apparently that happens when one allows the Dark Lord to crucio one’s wife.”

“ I think you dropped this? ” Dorcas tapped the person in front of her on the shoulder, quirking a curious brow at the strange little trinket she now had her fingers clasped around. “ What is it anyway? ”

“It hurts,” Cissa murmured, shuffling forward in the seat and moving Camilla’s hand round to the spot at the base of her back where it felt like she was being periodically stabbed, “Here most of all.” It fit everything Camilla said, and while the other woman was sure she and her baby were fine, Narcissa’s doubts only grew by the second. Releasing Camilla’s hand she let out a dry laugh, before looking at Adrian. “I think it’s too late for that,” she murmured, biting her trembling lip. Her friends had already had enough of her tears, and still were good enough to open their home.

When Adrian mentioned Lucius, Narcissa shook her head. Things hadn’t been left well, but after last night he owed her many things, space being the most basic of those. “He- He might not, he seemed intent on giving me some time…” Until last night she might have trusted him to do that. She didn’t trust him at all now. Glancing at Adrian she sighed, “If he does, I don’t want to see him.”

The panic and flashback pain were edging closer in her mind, and Camilla shook her head to try and rid them, craving Adrian’s arms around her to make her feel whole. No. This was about Narcissa now. Not you. Her eyes widened as the blonde confimed the same kind of pain she’d felt, alone in the Paris flat over six years ago. “No, Cissa, it may be too late for the,-” She swallowed, and steadied herself, “for the baby. But you still need a healer. They will lessen your pain and the time you have to suffer. Please trust me.” Her hand traveled up Narcissa’s back, trying to provide some sort of comfort in any way she could. 

“Adrian just find whatever healer you can and you can always wipe their memory.” She snapped at him unintentionally, feeling Narcissa’s pain as if it were her own. Quickly she turned to look up at him, panicked so he might understand where her tone was coming from. I love you, She mouthed at him, please help her so she doesn’t suffer like I did. Her eyes implored him to think of Narcissa now, not whatever reckless and stupid Lucius might do.

@adriangreengrass

 Adrian bit his lip as he looked over at Narcissa. His heart went out to her and he allowed Camilla to take care of her as he thought of his next move. His lips twisted at the thought of her losing her child, a pain that he would not wish on anyone. “Cissa,” he said softly as he listened to his wife. “I will make sure that you don’t need to see Lucius.” If it was the last thing he did.

Camilla raised her eyebrows at him and smirked. “I don’t know, you seem the type to ask permission before taking what you want.” Her words were quick and teasing, very different than they would have been if this interaction had taken place when she was home on a holiday. There were almost two Camilla’s. The quick-witted, bright and bold Camilla of school, with fast comebacks and teasing looks and smiles. And the Camilla of her family, much more muted but with the similar teasing glint in her eyes. He was getting the school Camilla now, and it would be unusual for him. 

“I know you aren’t,” She tossed her curls over her shoulder and leaned into him more in the chill of the autumn night. “Had you told them, he would actually have killed me rather than let me go off with you alone.” It was meant as a jest, but it came out too honest, and Camilla hoped he wouldn’t ask. 

“I am always ready.” She intertwined her fingers in his, other hand grasping his bicep, leaning close. “Show me Paris, please.” 

Adrian threw her a smile, a slightly smug one at that, and tilted his head to the side. “I ask permission when it is necessary,” he ground out. Sometimes it was easier to ask forgiveness, though. He had noticed, though, how Camilla seemed to flourish more, was bolder, when her family was not around. But the moments were fleeting and this was surprising, for he had her full teasing smirk and Adrian found that he liked it – it was why he’d chosen her, of course. Perhaps he would even tell her someday. The thought made him smile.

He smirked and took another kiss from her lips before considering her words. It was something he filed away, something to ask when he wasn’t about to apparate them internationally. He had not gotten the impression that Camilla’s father was that awful, but perhaps there was something he didn’t know.

Her heart was pounding in her ears and she barely nodded goodbye to a professor, who she didn’t realize. Adrian’s hand was on her lower back guiding Camilla towards the door, his voice in her ear. Do not worry. How could she not? Either someone she loved was dead, Cillian, or she would have to go to the manor and face her parents earlier than she thought she’d have to. There was no good way for this to end, unless she had a few minutes to spend with Adrian, or Cillian. 

Grey eyes widened as she stopped, listening to what he said. In any other situation she would have been so upset that he’d made her worry she would have ignored him completely, or found some other way to punish him childishly. But instead her face broke into a smile, a huge look of relief. He apologized, and Camilla kissed him back harder than he’d kissed her first, threading her fingers into the hem of her shirt. She was free, she had a whole weekend away from school, away from prying eyes and rules. And she didn’t have to go to the manor, a cold and heartless place. 

“Did you tell them? What if they find out?” Camilla was suddenly fearful again, thinking of what her parents would do to her if they found out she’d left school for a weekend. Even though he was her betrothed, she knew they’d want to keep her as pure as possible. Too bad it was too late for that. She shook her head quickly, as if to ward away thoughts of her parents. “No no, never mind I do not care. I am not going to let them spoil our weekend.” She smiled up at him. “Paris please, I have never been anywhere, so I would not know where to go.” 

Camilla’s wide eyes surprised him and as she kissed him back, he felt the warmth of her passion. He hoped that this weekend away would be what she needed, hoped that maybe it would make her realized that no matter what happened, Adrian Greengrass kept his promises. He’d never wanted Camilla to think him a liar and if taking her to Paris would prove otherwise, well, he’d do it.

Adrian scoffed. “Of course I didn’t tell them,” he told her as he looked down at Camilla. Did she really think him so stupid as to tell her parents exactly what he was planning? He wasn’t sure what he thought of her mother, but Adrian had been around long enough to know that he was not a fan of her father – who had seemed all too happy to sell her to the highest bidder. “Do you think I’m an absolute incompetent?” he asked, his lips curving into an amused smile as he looked over at her. As she shook her head, Adrian looked on approvingly. “Darling, I will take you everywhere once we are married.” He kissed her head. “Anywhere you want to go? We’ll go.” He smiled. 

“Pregnant… I’m- I’m pregnant,“ Narcissa said, refusing to look at Camilla as she said it. Refusing to say that she knew something was wrong. Knew the cramping pains in her stomach only boded ill for the baby. “But I… I’m not sure- not sure if the baby-”  She cut off, swallowing hard and unable to give true voice to her fears, Narcissa tried to compose herself as Adrian reassured his wife. She felt awful for bringing her troubles to their door. Even if they said she could stay. She wanted to stay - going home unthinkable - but she didn’t know if she should.

“No!” she hissed, glaring at Adrian. Narcissa was unhappy with her husband. Furious in fact, but even when he’d asked what if he was dead, she’d known she would rather endure the cruciatus curse than watch him die. “No, he’s- I just can’t be in the manor, I can’t look at him after last night.” Already she was resolved to not stay long. Just long enough to recover her health. To ensure the baby was fine. She smiled thinly at Camilla again. “I’m so grateful, to you both, but… there’s nothing to be done I just… I want to rest for a few days.”

Normally Camilla would have pouted at the tone that Adrian took while speaking to her, but she was able to recognize that he was not upset with her, and that this situation was focused on Narcissa. Her eyes widened in fear when the blonde confessed to being pregnant. “Fuck.” Camilla paled, thinking of her own pregnancy. “And you apparated here? What does it feel like?” Her voice lowered, softly stroking Narcissa’s hand. 

“For me it was like being stabbed in the back, and then like I was being ripped apart.” She couldn’t look at either of them, her best friend or her husband while she spoke. Camilla hadn’t told Narcissa about it, and Adrian never asked for any details. “But I am sure you’re fine.” Quickly, she tried not to seem so negative, Camilla wouldn’t want to make her worry unnecessarily. She scowled at the fact that Lucius hadn’t even tried to protect her, he was even weaker than she thought. Adrian would take a curse for her, of that Camilla was absolutely certain. But it sent a chill down her spine knowing that the Dark Lord did not value any of them, even an expectant mother with a pureblooded child. “He best not come looking for you here.” 

@adriangreengrass

Oh, if Lucius had been there at that moment, Adrian might have thrown the Avada himself. Allowing Voldemort to crucio his pregnant wife was even worse than allowing him to crucio Narcissa to begin with. Idly, Adrian knew that this information could upset his wife and he was proud of the fact that Camilla was able to give the attention to Narcissa instead of withdrawing into herself. “We need to get you a healer,” he said softly, going through his mind to see if he could think of one that would be discreet.

Adrian thought that Narcissa was giving Lucius too much credit, but he did not say so. She was upset as it was and he would only make it worse by saying such a thing. “We will make sure you’re comfortable, of course,” he said. The revelation of Camilla’s was not exactly a surprise, but his eyes went up all the same. Adrian looked over at her and his lips thinned. “The Dark Lord has made his point. He won’t come looking for her. Lucius, on the other hand…” he trailed off, knowing he’d have to remove him from the wards.

Camilla was too young and self-centered to realize how lucky she was with Adrian, and even though he tried to remind her, she couldn’t bring herself to admit it. He chose her, so there was part of him that had to care on a deeper level than looks and name. She could have ended up with someone much older, with a temper much more violent and volatile than his, who would not hesitate to knock her back into place. But Camilla didn’t realize this, and instead she laughed at his soft words and flirted back sweetly, “Why would I ever lie to you?” 

“We have only been married a few months so you can’t possibly know that it won’t work out for you in the long term.” She sighed slightly when he kissed her forehead, letting out some of her annoyance at him for not letting her be exactly how she wanted to. “So your excuse is not valid.” Camilla pulled back and smiled sweetly, wondering if she could some how seduce him into staying in. 

She stayed frowning as he tried to justify the comment. No matter how he thought he said it, it felt like a threat to her. This wasn’t what she wanted, there were things you were supposed to discuss as a married couple, and there were things that were much important that required more than a compromise. She needed more time, he had to know that. “Oh? And what are the consequences?” Her eyebrows shot up, challenging him to see if he would actually follow through. 

Adrian did not appreciate the laugh, did not appreciate the flirtation – for he knew when she was doing it to attempt a deflection. He adored his wife – gave her many more liberties than another would. But it never seemed as if she truly appreciated that and he simply fixed her with a look. “I can think of many reasons why you would lie to me,” he stated, his eyes level with her own. Most of them were innocuous, somewhat selfish, but some were more than that.

“You say things like that, but I’m not sure you truly understand how the world works at times, my dear,” he said, a smile on his lips to temper the words that he stated. While Camilla was beautiful and intelligent, there were moments when she seemed to misunderstand the fact that his duty was not to do everything she wanted him to. He sighed in return. “It’s hardly an excuse.”

“I don’t want to see her,” Lucius hissed out. He wouldn’t do anything unless she was ready to see him.  She needed her space and he could force himself to respect that for now. He merely needed to know she was somewhere safe to save him from spending the next couple of days fretting about her whereabouts.

Adrian’s words cut deep, Lucius left seething while he tried to come up with some sort of defense. “Suppose he killed me,” He said. His voice was low, a hint of uncertainty mixed into it. Lucius jumped back from the spell, biting his lip before daring to address Adrian. He shifted to grab hold of his wand, eyebrow furrowing slightly. “I didn’t come here looking for a fight.”

Adrian’s eyebrows rose at the comment. At least Lucius was right about one thing - the fact that Narcissa did not need to see him. He let out a harsh laugh, brittle. “Good, because you can’t,” he said.

Lucius was sent stumbling back, nearly losing his footing from the blow. He doubled over in pain and brought a hand up to rub the spot. His jaw clenched, sending a slight tremor through his features. The question had been answered by the blow. Adrian’s tone kept him from giving a smartass remark, Lucius managing to straighten up and glare at him.

“She wasn’t at her mother’s,” He admitted through gritted teeth. The well-being check was for his benefit more than anything else, as he had no plans of contacting her unless she was the one to initiate the conversation. “So I figured here was the next best thing. Needless to say, I’m happy to see she’s with such pleasant company.”

Adrian allowed himself a smirk at the fact that Lucius nearly lost his footing. As it was, his lips merely thinned even more as the other man doubled over. Adrian’s eyebrows rose and he let out a breath as he remembered he was doing this for Narcissa, for the baby she had lost, for the pain that Lucius had inflicted upon them. 

She wasn’t at her mother’s. Knowing that bit of information left Lucius worried. The guilt was overwhelming and Narcissa had only been out of the manor for about twelve hours. Running through the places she possibly could have gone to left him down to Bellatrix or Camilla. His genitalia was still intact so that made the choice to visit the Greengrass’ home an obvious one.

His hand shook when he reached for the knocker, needing a few deep breaths before he was able to bring himself to making his presence known. He expected a house elf to answer and was shocked to come face to face with Adrian once the door opened.

Lucius’ expression faltered but he managed to maintain eye contact with Adrian, his back straightening once he went to speak.

“Look I –” He took a hesitant breath and continued. “I just need to know if my wife is safe.”

@adriangreengrass

Since Adrian and Camilla had been woken up early that morning, the day had focused on Narcissa. It had been incredibly difficult on all of them, but none moreso than the woman herself, who had already suffered a most grievous loss. His wife was currently with the other woman, though he worried about the impact it would have on Camilla as well. 

“Not- not Lucius,” she mumbled, her words overlapping with Adrian’s as she took the robe. Feeling guilty for getting rainwater all over what was surely Adrian’s shirt. She turned her nose up at the tea. Not out of rudeness but rather because she felt she may need something a deal stronger. “He- He invited himself for dinner, we- we didn’t know why,” she finally whispered looking down at her hands. Unable to face either friend. “Someone betrayed us. Let on that we weren’t… content with things at the manor.”

Perhaps Adrian thought Lucius was dead. Perhaps that was the source of the softness he treated her with now, compassion for a grieving widow. She was not grieving, not yet, simply shaken. She tried to continue with her story, her hands still holding onto Camilla, the only thing that grounded her in the now. “He tried to get- get Lucius to do it. Prove his loyalty.” She sneered the words like they stung her tongue on the way out. The image of the previous night flashing through her head as she did so. Another tear slipped down Narcissa’s cheek. “And when my husband refused to use the cruciatus curse on me, because I- I’m– the Dark Lord did it himself.

---

Camilla frowned at the harshness in her husband’s voice, but then noticed the glance towards his left arm, and the dark brand there. Her blood seemed a freeze, grey eyes widening with understanding finally. Was Lucius dead? Did Adrian know something like this could happen and thats why he got so angry when ever she questioned it? Camilla opened her mouth to question what was going on at the manor that they could possibly be upset about, but thought better of it. 

Adrian sat on the other side of Narcissa, and Camilla gave her hands a reassuring squeeze, as if to say she was safe now, surrounded by friends. And then the tear fell and Cissa revealed why she was so hurt. There was a sharp intake of breath, and then all Camilla could say was “Fuck.” She knew how it felt, the unimaginable pain and the fear, but she hadn’t in six years. Adrian didn’t even know that the Selwyn patriarch used unforgivables on his children, and she met his eyes, fearful. “Cissa I am so so sorry, love. You can stay here as long as you want, we won’t let anything happen to you. He has no reason to come here, right Adrian?” 

@adriangreengrass

“Because you’re what?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as he tried to figure out exactly what had happened. He had not thought that the Dark Lord was so volatile as to begin attacking his supporters and the thought gave him pause. He poured a cup of tea and offered it to Narcissa before running his hand along his jawline, trying to listen to the rest of what she had to say. “No,” he said shortly to Camilla, his eyes beseeching her to understand that his brusqueness had nothing to do with her. “She is perfectly safe here. For as long as she wants.”

After listening to Narcissa, Adrian saw red. “And where is Lucius?” he asked, his voice deathly quiet. “Is he dead?” he asked bluntly. “If he isn’t, he should be.” Men did not allow their wives to be crucioed, to be tortured by the Dark Lord when they could have taken it themselves. “This is unacceptable,” he said, his resolve cracking. “We do not support him so that he can rip our families apart this way.” There had to be another way. Adrian bit his lip. “What can we do for you, Narcissa?” he asked, his voice softer again.