And Death Shall Have No Dominion
Rage Against the Dying of the Light
Chapter 4 of 7
phoenixLucius realizes that Narcissa?s grief is far deeper than he had first assumed. Will he lose his wife or help her recover?
ReviewedAnd Death Shall Have No Dominion
Lucius surveyed the ball. Everything was going wonderfully. Everyone who was anyone had come to his soiree. As a dutiful host, he had circulated throughout the room, making everyone feel welcome and important.
As he reviewed the scene spread out before him, he noticed that someone was missing. He could not find Narcissa. Moving to the side of the room, he called one of the house-elves, who informed him that she was upstairs.
Carefully slipping away from the guests, he made his way to their rooms. “Darling, is something wrong?”
She dabbed at her cheek. “I just—couldn’t take it anymore. It’s too much.”
Sitting next to her on the bed, he asked, “What’s too much? We’ve been to events like this many times before.”
“It’s not that. It’s the families. They keep talking about their children, a-a-and mine is gone.” She collapsed into tears against him.
He held her for a few minutes, stroking her hair gently. “It’s all right.”
“No, Lucius, it’s not,” she whispered.
“Darling, life must transcend death. We must go on.”
“I know. I just don’t know that I can go back down there.”
“You must. Our guests will wonder where we are.”
“Please, could you tell them I’m not feeling well? I just… I can’t,” she pleaded.
After kissing her softly on the lips, he replied, “I will. And I will return as soon as possible. Be assured of that.” As he made his way back downstairs, he pondered this unexpected outcome. Obviously, this would be more difficult than he had anticipated. Then again, maybe this could be used to his advantage.
It took close to an hour for him to see his guests off. The ball had been a smashing success. Business deals had been arranged, but it still did not seem like enough. He was tired of burying himself in his work when he knew it was all for nothing.
When he returned upstairs, Narcissa had changed out of her costume and was standing on the balcony in her nightclothes. He wrapped his arms around her. “Darling, come inside. You’ll catch your death.”
“Maybe that would be for the best,” she said softly.
He gently guided her inside near the fire. “Now, my love, why would you say that?”
“There’s nothing worth living for anymore.”
Looking into her tear-streaked face, he knew that he was losing her. “Darling, how can you possibly say that? We still have each other. You have always been my guiding star, and I would be lost without you.” He had nearly had to beg his father to let him marry her. The elder Malfoy had wanted his son to marry the oldest of the Black sisters since there were no male Black heirs to that line, but Lucius had been relentless that Narcissa was the one for him. She would be the perfect mother for the Malfoy heir, not Bellatrix.
“You could go on without me. You’d be better off without me,” she said morosely.
He held her tightly, frightened by what she was saying. “Nothing could be further from the truth.” He had hoped that resuming their social life would help her climb out of the depression she had been in ever since Draco’s death. Instead, it seemed to be having the opposite effect, and he feared that she would do something drastic. “Come, darling. Let’s get some sleep. Everything will look different in the light of morning.” He tucked her into bed before changing into his nightshirt and joining her.
He tried kissing and comforting her, but that didn’t seem to help. He was somewhat relieved when she finally cried herself to sleep. Tomorrow, he would see about getting her some help. He couldn’t stand seeing her like this any longer.
***********
The following morning, Lucius paced his study. Checking the clock, he saw it was ten after. He did not appreciate being kept waiting. Finally, the door opened. “Where have you been?” he snapped.
Severus arched an eyebrow. “For someone who claims to be so desperate for my assistance, that is a dangerously rude greeting.”
Lucius scowled. Severus was the only person who could talk that way to him and expect to survive unscathed. “You saw Narcissa last night. She is not herself. She still has not recovered from Draco’s death.” Moving to the sidebar, he poured himself a measure of Scotch.
“A little early in the day, isn’t it?” asked Severus reprovingly.
Lucius waved off the comment. “I need a potion that will balance her emotionally. Right now, I can’t even discuss having another child with her. And time is running out.”
“I could just give you a fertility potion to counteract her birth control.”
Lucius frowned. “No. I want her to want this child, but it will be difficult to convince her…” … after last time, he added silently. To stave off the guilt he could feel clawing to the surface, he drained his Scotch and poured another. Early in their marriage, he had only cared about having a male heir. She had miscarried four times because the first four children had been girls, and he had not been willing to wait years for a male heir. And this branch of the Malfoy line, and the Malfoy name itself, must go on. Now, he regretted that decision, but he could not change the past. It would be different now. He did not care whether he had a son or a daughter. He wanted his wife back, his family back.
“Lucius?” Severus asked.
“What?” he snapped. Clearly Severus had been talking to him, but he had heard nothing.
“I’ll see about brewing a potion for her. It might not be completely effective without a detailed examination. Tell me what you can about her mental state.
It took half an hour, but Lucius provided Severus as many details about Narcissa’s behavior as he could. Once he was left alone, he sat at his desk, considering the glass of Scotch in his hand. He knew that he shouldn’t drink it, that alcohol never solved anyone’s problems, but it did make the guilt go away… for a time.
This was his fault. If only he had been more patient, more understanding, Narcissa would not be in this state now. Setting down the glass, he decided to go for a walk, hoping the fresh air would clear his mind.
**********
Three days later, Severus returned. “This might help. Unless you allow me to examine Narcissa, this is the best I can offer.”
Lucius gently took the small bottle. “Anything will be better than nothing. I have one of the house-elves keeping an eye on her. How should she take this?”
“You can put it in any juice, and she should not notice any unusual taste. Do not mix it with alcohol. One tablespoon a day should be sufficient. If it isn’t, do not increase the dose, but inform me.”
“And if I need more?”
“We’ll address that problem later if we need to. For now, you must talk with her, get her to deal with her grief, her fears. This will allow her mind to become more lucid, but it is not a long-term cure. Especially if you want children.”
“Understood. And, Severus, thank you.”
Severus arched an eyebrow. It was rare that Lucius ever thanked anyone and meant it. “You’re quite welcome.”
Once Severus was gone, he summoned one of the house-elves. “One tablespoon of this is to be mixed with Mrs. Malfoy’s juice every morning.”
“Yes, sir. Ippy will see that it is done.”
Tomorrow would be her first dose. He hoped that it would return his wife to him.
*********
A/N: Once again, thanks to nota for her assistance beta reading this. She finds the perfect word that has eluded me. :D The title of this chapter is taken from yet another Dylan Thomas poem. This one by the same name as the chapter.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Rage Against the Dying of the Light
16 Reviews | 8.56/10 Average
Of course Lucius is happy to continue his little empire:-) but more important for me is that I feel that Narcissa has achieved a kind of peace and closure of Draco's death and a kind of happiness with having more children to give all of her love & life to, continuing the life force, her life force, through them--so happy that she is thriving and that her equillibrium has found itself & peace through the dynamics of family life--lovely ending!
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Both of them went through so much emotionally, it was wonderful to write an ending where they truly were a happy family.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Both of them went through so much emotionally, it was wonderful to write an ending where they truly were a happy family.
Well, Lucius should be made to grovel at her feet and worship her and the female baby she is carrying--I think it's time he gets some bewitching re-wiring done to his misogynistic brain and thank the fertile & merciful goddess that Narcissa is with all of his heart & soul *end of rant* great chapter!xxx
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
LOL Loved the rant. And yes, Lucius needs to finish his mental rewiring. I think perhaps he's finally grown up. LOL
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
LOL Loved the rant. And yes, Lucius needs to finish his mental rewiring. I think perhaps he's finally grown up. LOL
There is an opening, a small ray of hope that she might change her mind, but such a slow, tentative thawing--I fear Severus' presence is a set back? Reading on!xxx
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Aren't hormonal emotional roller coasters fun? LOL Poor Narcissa was on the road to recovery, but being used to Lucius, she can't help but start to get suspicious.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Aren't hormonal emotional roller coasters fun? LOL Poor Narcissa was on the road to recovery, but being used to Lucius, she can't help but start to get suspicious.
Yes, I meant to mention that I love the poetry as an inspirational theme flowing through your work:-) Hmmn, it's nice that Severus is helping out; I enjoy reading the true friendship aspects between Severus and the Malfoys being depicted and expanded upon
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
The Severus Lucius friendship is another reason I scream at Jo for killing off poor Sev. I like to think that Severus is Lucius' only true friend, the only one who will tell the emporer he's got no clothes on. I also love the guilt poor Lucius feels over his past actions - he's finally finding some humanity.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
The Severus Lucius friendship is another reason I scream at Jo for killing off poor Sev. I like to think that Severus is Lucius' only true friend, the only one who will tell the emporer he's got no clothes on. I also love the guilt poor Lucius feels over his past actions - he's finally finding some humanity.
Hmmmn, perhaps still too soon for Narcissa? The pain too raw to mask even at a masque ball--it would be very painful to be surrounded by those who remind her of her loss.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
The Narcissa chapters were always the hardest for me to write, or most draining, I should say. Poor Lucius trying so hard and failing to pry his wife from her depression.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
The Narcissa chapters were always the hardest for me to write, or most draining, I should say. Poor Lucius trying so hard and failing to pry his wife from her depression.
An interesting take, from Lucius' point of view of the current situation and the future; he's going to have to be very careful how he approaches Narcissa on the matter of producing another heir...
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Oh, here I am choking back tears as I review the chapter. 
Poor Narcissa to have her son killed by her sister and her husband exact justice by killing her sister. I love that he gets to show his gentle and loving side with her. There will be some POV back and forth in this story as each of them comes to terms with how their life was utterly destroyed. And yes, Lucius will have to proceed very carefully. But just wait until further information on that is revealed.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Oh, here I am choking back tears as I review the chapter. Poor Narcissa to have her son killed by her sister and her husband exact justice by killing her sister. I love that he gets to show his gentle and loving side with her. There will be some POV back and forth in this story as each of them comes to terms with how their life was utterly destroyed. And yes, Lucius will have to proceed very carefully. But just wait until further information on that is revealed.
It would be truly devasting for anyone to lose a child and for these two very keenly--it always felt like it was Draco that kept them together, living and keeping up appearances, building the world around him and fortifying it at all costs, so Lucius and Narcissa would be devasted. Lovely, poignant ending.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Even though this was written before DH, I think it so wonderfully captures they love they had for their son, as was shown by JKR. I still cry when I read about Lucius delivering the bad news. Emotionally this is one of the more difficult fics I have ever written. I hope you find the rest of it engaging.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Even though this was written before DH, I think it so wonderfully captures they love they had for their son, as was shown by JKR. I still cry when I read about Lucius delivering the bad news. Emotionally this is one of the more difficult fics I have ever written. I hope you find the rest of it engaging.
I’m ambivalent about the last section. It does tell us what happens to the Malfoys, but it’s too sweet for me—perhaps a little more trickery and cajoling on the part of Lucius or more hesitation and resignation about family life—perhaps a reversal where Narcissa is enthusiastic about a family while Lucius is hesitant.
Nevertheless, it was an achievement to realistically pull the Malfoys out of the depths, have him use cunning to keep his wife, and manage a sympathetic, but realistic, portrayal of one of literature’s villains.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Sorry the last chapter didn't quite click with you. Last chapters are always hard to write because you have to bring some sort of closure to the story. I will admit that I am a fan of happy endings, or at least ones that allow a hope of happiness. That's not to say they all end happy, but I tend to lean that way. I figure we all deal with so much frustration and unhappiness in real life that seeing something end on an upbeat is a nice escape. I really didn't want it to get too repititious or drag out too long, which I felt it might have been starting to head that way (gah, that sentence is horrible).
The reversal might have been fun, but it would have taken a bit more to get there.
Thank you for saying you enjoyed the realism of the Malfoys. They are a tough family because we don't know a lot about them, and what we do know is colored by the Harry-filter and some folks have a hard time seeing them outside that filter. And thanks for leaving such thoughtful reviews. :)
My impression is that Lucius terminated several pregnancies before Draco because he did not want a daughter. My one criticism is that I keep thinking this has to have more effect on Narcissa than an involuntary miscarriage but I can’t recall the story exploring it.
The story does explore Lucius’s changing motives.
Good scenes with Severus.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thanks. I always enjoy a nice thought provoking review. There is no real explanation in the story for how it physically affected Narcissa. I just took the stance that wizarding abortions are less taxing than Muggle ones. Though DH has a cousin who is a reproductive machine and has had several abortions and 3 subsequent children.
This story can be a little different as it goes back and forth trying to capture the changes in both characters in alternating chapters. Not something you normally see.
And I just had to find a way to work Severus in there. I think he's such a fun character to work with.
Good delineation of Lucius’s twin goals., and Narcissa’s equally complex response.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thanks. I think this story was definitely made more interesting by getting into what both of them were thinking. I liked going back and forth in alternating chapters. Of course, I did add in a bit of Lucius at the end. :D It really was interesting to see how two people would handle the loss of a child, one whom they had very different feelings towards.
Lovely story! I never thought that Narcissa would go through it. Lucius, that ol' slytherin dog, finally found a way around her hesitations... a face cream! LOLGreat job, hope to read more of your stories. Cheers!
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thanks. Yeah, she was really hesitant and I could easily see Lucius taking the easy way out and discarding her. I'm so glad I was able to avoid that. As odd as it seems, I think they are probably a very compatible couple. And of course he had to resort to Slytherin tactics. :D
I do have a one-shot for the Winter prompt in mind and a few other short stories that I do hope to find time to write. I think my sanity will need it. I'm hoping the muses really speak to me in the next couple of weeks as I may find myself in a real time crunch in the near future. Narcissa and I have something in common.
This review is for the first three chapters.Very solid prose. I'm not familiar with your writing, but in this story, you seem to be going for a no-frills realism.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thanks,
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
. This one is darker than the stuff I normally write, definitely no-frills. Sometimes I prefer to be wordier, but this one I felt would work well with simplicity. I enjoyed exploring Narcissa as a character, something I've not really done before. It was a great challenge and to make it a bit easier on myself, I threw some Lucius in there, too. :D
great chapter! poor narcissa. you show her grief and despair really well here. i can't wait to see whether lucius tries for a new heir.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Yes, Narcissa really is lost in the depths of grief. Losing her son really did hurt her. Hopefully I'll have a new chapter up in the next few days. :)
wow. nicely done. Its interesting to see things from Cissy's view point. Love it!
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thank you very much. I'm working on finishing up the next chapter right now. It's been a long time coming, but I'm getting there. :) It has been fun for me to spend time on her point of view.
What I wanted was for Lucius to die and Severus to become Narcissa's lover. You know me, I want Severus stories all the time, just as long as they aren't the loathesome SS/HG pairing or slash. In the past few months I've become rather fond of Severus/Narcissa stories.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Uh-oh, you are contributing to the delinquency of muses. 
They have heard your request and I am beating them off on wanting to write a little one-shot to fulfill your request. I have to conduct a little research, which is probably the only thing stopping me ATM.You see, I have a very hard time killing Lucius off as I'm rather fond of him. I generally agree with you on Severus pairing, though I have done both a SS/HG and SS/RL, both as a bit of a lark, though the latter will be continued in a bit more serious vein.So, depending on the muses, you may see SS/NM by the end of the week.
yes, continue! this is a fantasic story. i love the malfoy family and people don't usually write lucius and narcissa as a loving couple. this was very well-written.
Response from phoenix (Author of Rage Against the Dying of the Light)
Thanks. I know that the other times I have written Lucius, Narcissa hasn't played much of a part. In fact, she's dead in the one series and only made a cameo at the end of one. It was interesting me for examine this from the standpoint that they really do love each other. It's kind of refreshing for me, actually. :)