To Enchant a King

I questioned whether time or fate
Would ever show me a sign
The moment I saw you
That's when I knew
I feel it when I'm with you


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To Enchant a King: Chapter 10


Narcissa knew her time within the palace walls was slowly ticking away. She had heard rumours that Sir Thomas was back, and she knew the trouble that meant for her. He would be beside himself that she had tried to pass off his child as the king’s. Sir Thomas by no means was stupid, and to presume him so was more than idiotic. The truth was, she did think she loved him…She thought about him most mornings as she woke and most night as she prepared to lay her weary mind and body to rest. To say she was feeling most foolish was an understatement. But her father had always told her, that her beauty could win the hearts of a thousand men…Why, oh why, did it have to be Hermione whom the king chose?

She was jealous of her sister, as she had never been before. Even after her non existent interlude with the king, he still chose Hermione over her. It drove Narcissa to madness thinking of the reasons why he would do that. Maybe the king did really love Hermione, and what they shared was indeed true love. Narcissa had well and truly made her own bed…and now she lay in it, no matter the consequences.

So she packed, it being the only way out she seen without her loosing her head. She would leave the palace, leave her family, and bring up her child on her own. It was the only way. She knew she couldn’t rely on Sir Thomas, not with the way he could manipulate her every thought and feeling. Maybe she didn’t really feel this love for Sir Thomas, maybe it was the sheer force of his manipulations upon her mind, that dared her to feel like this.

When she was done packing she tied the woollen bag, she could feel the choking emotion building in the back of her throat. She wanted desperately to throw herself at the king’s feet and beg for mercy, but as he had warned her, he could have her and her child killed, and no matter what she had done, she loved her child. It was a part of her, a part of Sir Thomas, he or she would be beautiful, she only hoped that one day, her child would find a better life for itself than the one she had tried to provide.

She looked both ways as she exited her chambers, and pulled her hood up over her recognisable blonde hair. She strode forth, with feather light steps, until she reached the lower bowels of the palace. She could feel the cold seeping in through the thick wooden doors that sealed off the palace to outsiders. She placed her small hand upon the gold handle when she heard a voice call out.

“Narcissa?” she heard her sister call out.

She turned to see her younger sibling running toward her, and she had a flash of a feeling she thought she would never feel - remorse. She looked into the eyes of the sister she had betrayed, the sister she had looked down on, and couldn’t help the tears that trickled down her cheeks. She knew she didn’t deserve her sister’s pity, but she wanted it. She wanted her to tell her it would all be ok, she wanted to go home, and forget that she ever came to court, but she knew it was too late.


“Where are you going?” asked Hermione as she looked at the woollen sack slung over Narcissa’s shoulder.

“I’m leaving. I know what I have done merits as high treason, Hermione. Do not think me stupid. It is the only way for me to leave this castle with my head still on my shoulders.”

“The castle is surrounded, Sir Thomas Riddle and The Duke of Suffolk are outside this door, waiting. The King suspected you would run. Come with me, and face your punishment, as a true Granger would.” Hermione said solemnly.

“I can’t. What about my baby?” she said as she cradled her burgeoning stomach with her hands.

“The King will show your son or daughter mercy. Sir Thomas Riddle has come forth for the sake of his child, he wants to be there, Narcissa. He will raise the baby, and I will help whenever I can.” she said.

“Am I destined to lose my head?” asked Narcissa.

“I cannot answer that…The King has not told me of your punishment, only that I can be there if I wish to be. He respects that you are my sister, but does not excuse the fact that you are a traitor to the crown and country.” she said she reached out for Narcissa’s hand.

Narcissa sniffed weakly and went to her sister.

“I am so sorry this is happening to you, Narcissa. But you chose your own path…”

“I know I did, and there is not one god in the heavens that would help me now. I have done wrong Hermione, I do not attest that…But I am afraid…God help me…I am petrified.”

“The King is a fair man…He will give you a suitable punishment. He has met with Draco and Alexander, and together they have made judgement. That is all I know. I am to take you to the Public halls, where you shall be received by the King, and he will then tell you of your punishment. He has called for Sirius to be there, as a royal witness, but alas this is the only members of out family that he has called for. I think he does not want to upset our mother and father.”

Narcissa pulled away from her sister, and stood up straight. She pulled the hood away from her hair, and smoothed out the straight golden hair. She raised her chin and stood tall along side her sister.

Although she was scared beyond belief, she was a Granger, and that was something to be proud of.


~*~

Lucius paced back and forth, the hour of reckoning was upon him. He had been in council with Cardinal Weasley for most of the day. Fair and honest was Arthur, and he too agreed that Lady Narcissa’s punishment was fitting. He had advised Lucius about the aftermath of the punishment, and had agreed to a request that Lucius had asked of him, that would take place later that night.

He had never really thought of how this would affect his beloved Hermione, would she come to resent him after he had dealt with her errant sister? Would she understand why he had done what he had to? The one thing he would not tolerate was the harming of her innocent child, the child of one of his most trusted advisors. Sir Thomas would take the child and raise him alone, perhaps he could in time find a wife who would raise the Riddle heir as her own. He would like to see this travesty come to an end.

For it was not just him that had burned in this whole mess, it had been Hermione. She had been hurt by her sisters incessant lies, and cruel games. He wanted some kind of justice for her, for her sorrow, for the grief they both shared at their parting. He had some inkling that she would run, as most did, but he hoped for her sake alone she would not.

So when Narcissa stepped into the Public halls with her head held high, he was more than shocked. Beside her was Hermione, who looked on the verge of tears. He had never seen such closeness between the sisters, Narcissa’s hand was laced through Hermione’s, their hands joined at the fingers, Narcissa’s other hand resting firmly on her stomach. He knew inside her lay the child of Sir Thomas Riddle, and he had a last minute change of plan in his punishment as Draco’s words came back to him.

Every child needs it’s mother.

Hermione untangled their hands and kissed her sister’s cheek. With one last squeeze of her hand, she walked to Sirius’ side. He noted the distraught expression on the Granger heir’s face. Did they all think him so callous in his quest for justice?

Lucius stood, and all eyes fell on the king. He looked into the eye of Sir Thomas Riddle who looked a little saddened by the sight of his love, standing in the middle of the hall, the rest of the court looking down upon her. Sir Thomas blinked several times and then looked away. His emotion made the king uncomfortable. He was well aware of the feelings Sir Thomas held inside. He was beginning to grieve.

“I have called the full court here today, for the decision of Punishment for Lady Narcissa Cecile Granger. You have been found guilty of High Treason, to Crown and Country. You have conspired to overturn the crown by devious and untruthful means. It is with a hard heart that I look upon you, and deliver my punishment.” said the king.

The silence in the hall was deafening as they all waited for the Kings final decision.

“I hereby sentence you to 10 years imprisonment in the Tower of London. This sentence may not be negotiated or modified, and there are several stipulations to this punishment. By the laws of Merlin, I the King of England will use the magic gifted to me by my sire, King Abraxas the second, and by his father before him. I will take your beauty from you, something which you have used as a means to get where you are today. True beauty is not something that should be used to manipulate the will of others, be it whether they are weak or strong willed.”

“I do not sentence you to death, on the count of the innocent you carry in your belly. He or she does not deserve life without a mother. But hear this Lady Narcissa, and heed my warning. This is not half of which I feel you deserve. If it was up to me, you would never set eyes upon your child for the rest of your days. Be as it not, my brethren have decided that your head shall not roll for this most callous act.”

“Your child will be delivered on this very day, following the administration of the Producto potion. It will speed up the development of your child, and he or she shall be delivered by sundown. Then you shall be taken to start your sentence in the Tower of London. You have but two hours to prepare yourself for the birth of your child. You will be supervised by myself and Sir Thomas Riddle, the true father of your child.”

Lucius looked around the hall, there were quite a few surprised faces looking back at him, did they honestly expect him to order her to be be-headed?

“My judgement is final, let that be all. Court is dismissed.” he said as he left the small stage, at the head of the hall. Several Tower of London guards stood around Lady Narcissa who was clinging to her brother Sirius. He had never seen her openly weep as she was now.

He was joined momentarily by Severus Snape, who was here to over see the giving of the potion. The king was put more at ease by the fact that Severus had brewed the potion himself, therefore he knew it was safe.

All they had to do now, was wait.


~*~


“Please Tom! I beg of you, help me!” she cried as another sharp pain coursed through her abdomen.

“You have to push, Narcissa.” he said as he held her hand.

“It hurts!” she screamed as she pushed down, feeling something shift within her womb.

“Please don’t let them take the baby, I beg of you. Please Tom, please!” she wept.

“I will raise our child, Narcissa. I will send you letters of his growth, and his life.” he said as she screamed in pain.

“I don’t want to be without the baby, Tom. Please my love, don’t let them do this.” she said weakly as she lay on the bed.

“Lady Narcissa, you must push. It is vital we get your child out now.” said Severus, who was assisting with the birth.

Narcissa let out a gut wrenching scream as she gave one last powerful push, and the child slid out of her body.

“A boy!” said Severus as the baby was placed in a small basinet, and cleaned, slipping away to give the couple a few minutes to themselves, quickly setting the anti apparition wards before he left.

The baby was placed in Sir Thomas’ arms, and he couldn’t help but fall speechless, the baby had startling green eyes, and a small fuzz of dark hair upon his precious head. He could hear Narcissa quietly weeping as she looked on at himself and their child. He turned to look at her, her bright golden hair fanned out upon the pillow, her breathing heavy, she looked beautiful. She had given him a worthy, strong, powerful son. At this moment in time, he could honestly say, he truly loved her, despite what she had done.

He moved over and placed the babe in his mother’s arms, and tried to ignore the fleeting pain in his heart as he watched them. For the first time he saw a true smile on her face, one free of malice and contempt. One that he was sure he would see on the face of his son, in the years to come.

“He’s so beautiful, Tom.” she whispered as she touched the dark hair atop of her son’s head.

“He is.” he agreed, trying to fight the emotion that was bubbling inside him.

“May I name him?” she asked, as she looking on at her new born son.

“Of course, anything you want.” he said solemnly.

“Harry Thomas, after my father and after you.” she said her eyes began to mist over once more.

“He will be loved, Narcissa, by both of us. He will know you, and he will know he is loved.”

“I have your word on that?” she asked, a small smile forming on her lips.

“You have it a thousand times over, my love,” he said as he leaned over to whisper in her ear, “I will wait for you.”

“Really?” she asked.

“I vow to you with all my heart, I will. We will be waiting for you. Myself and Harry.”

“I love you.” she whispered.

“And I you, my lady.” he said as he kissed her softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed the first half of chapter 10!

Answers to reviews follow in part 2!