SHAKE IT OUT
By Mesteria

Author's Note: Surprise, surprise! I know… you haven't heard from me in a while. You probably thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth. Not quite. ;] University kind of killed my appetite for fanfic and I apologize. I've missed it, though, and I'm glad I got some muse back! I know it's a new story… I should be updating my other ones, but this is the story I have muse for right now. I hope you'll all enjoy it. =] I'd love reviews, but I won't beg for them because I'm a crap reviewer myself. =[ I'm sure you clicked on this link because, voila!, it's Lucius and Narcissa – what's not to love, hmm? They're frigging awesome. This story is slightly AU-ish, though; you've been forewarned. I still hope you like it. And you're all probably like 'SHUT UP ALREADY, WOMAN!'. So I will. Enjoy and thank you!

Dedication: This is for everyone who's stuck by me, throughout the years. Most importantly, it's for Rissy, Ace, Azzie and Lizzard.

Thanks to: Az for being my beta.

Disclaimer: These two little bunnies aren't mine, but they do give me a lot of inspiration. JK, are you sure I can't have them? xD Oh! And then title comes from the song ('Shake It Out') by Florence & the Machine! New CD comes out on Halloween! Now that's a treat. ;]

PROLOGUE
- January, 1978 -

To make or keep separate. It was the only definition of divorce that kept repeating in Narcissa Malfoy's (soon to be Black) mind. None of the other definitions mattered. They didn't make sense, not in this situation. She was being forced away from Lucius. Separated. Forcibly separated. Surely there was a word for that? Sequester… no, not quite. Narcissa paced down the hallway, taking a moment to pause in front of an enchanted slab of glass that was meant to resemble a window. There were no windows in the Ministry, at least none that looked outside, for it was underground. Narcissa stared blankly at the window, watching the snow fall, arms folded over her chest. She was freezing. Instantly, Lucius crossed her mind. He couldn't wrap his arms around her frame, hold her close, kiss the top of her head and warm her to the core. Soon, they'd be separates, living their own lives once again.

"Narcissa, they're ready for us."

Breaking out of her thoughts, the young blonde witch turned her head to the side to stare at her barrister. She stood still, no thoughts coming to mind… only dread. After what seemed like ten minutes, Narcissa finally turned and headed down to where the barrister, Hector Vaisey, was standing. He didn't offer her any kind of comfort – no smile, no kind eyes, not even a pat on her back. Truthfully, Narcissa didn't mind. He looked as dead on the outside as she felt on the inside. She didn't want his sympathy or pity. She wanted to get this awful night over with and go… go wherever it was she was headed.

Hector opened the door and Narcissa stepped in before him, averting her gaze so she wouldn't have to look at Lucius. Not yet. Her heart was pounding in her ears and her stomach was flip-flopping. She thought she might break down, but she swallowed the pain instead. It settled deep in her middle, pain radiating throughout her whole body. Walking to a chair, Narcissa sat down and, for the first time that night, looked up. Her eyes immediately fell on Lucius. He was staring intently at her. He looked just as miserable as she thought she looked. His face was sad, pained and his eyes had circles under them. A deep frown was settled on his lips. Lucius then looked down at the table and Narcissa ached to be near him, to hold his hand. Slowly, she looked to Lucius' father, Abraxas. He was the cause of all of this. Couldn't he feel the heartbreak? If he did, he obviously didn't care.

"Narcissa?"

Blue eyes broke away from Abraxas Malfoy's face to the other barrister, representing Lucius. "Yes?" she croaked out dryly. She tried again, after taking a shaky sip of water. "Yes?"

"Have you had a chance to look over the new provisions?" the barrister asked. Narcissa wasn't sure what his name was, but she thought he looked like a Maxwell.

"I wouldn't be here if I hadn't," she replied in a clipped tone. She heard Abraxas snort and clear his throat quickly. She glanced at him, expressionless. The father-in-law who'd adored her since the minute she was born, who practically pushed his son and her together, who was now ordering a divorce between the young couple because it'd been four years and she hadn't had a child yet. Because the Healers told her she couldn't have children. So now he was taking away her happiness, her life. Narcissa didn't know what to feel now when it came to Abraxas. Anger at first, then hurt and now… she felt nothing, especially not loyalty.

The barrister, whose name might be Maxwell, nodded and stared at her for a moment longer before speaking. "If you're satisfied with the arrangements, then you ought to sign the papers," he advised very businessman-like.

The provisions he spoke about were the terms of the divorce. Divorces were uncommon in the wizarding world and nearly unheard of amongst purebloods. They'd attempted to keep quiet about this divorce, because it was so high-profile. But the wizarding world was small and word got around. Maybe it was that reason why Narcissa was getting anything out of the divorce. But she liked to think it was because Lucius wouldn't let her go with nothing. They were in love; she knew they always would be. The two main terms of the divorce, the only ones Narcissa was concerned about were:

"A) The Malfoy family must provide Narcissa Black with an apartment or house of her choosing, wherever she pleases, until she remarries;

B) The Malfoy family must provide Narcissa Black with enough funds for her to pay necessitates and have extra for emergencies, despite the Black family's income, until she remarries."

She looked again to Lucius, who was staring at her again with the same pitiful look as before. Narcissa's throat went tight and she had to force herself to look down at the stack of papers on the table to keep herself from crying. "I'm satisfied," she muttered. It was a lie and the entire room knew that. Hector pointed out the sections that required her signature or initials. Narcissa hesitated at the last page. One signature missing and they couldn't get a divorce. But Abraxas had made it quite clear that he would have his way and he'd use the Imperius curse if need be. Glancing up, Narcissa's eyes met Lucius' grey ones. He mouthed 'I'm sorry'. She knew he meant it; after all, this hadn't been his decision. Gulping air, she held it in her mouth and signed her name one last time. It was final. They were no longer married. No longer husband and wife. They were Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black, star-crossed lovers.

Sitting back in the chair, Narcissa let out the breath and looked to Hector. Her face must have given away her thoughts because the next thing she knew, everyone had left the cold room. Everyone except Lucius. She looked at him now, not afraid to cry (he'd seen it a myriad of times before.) Her eyes pooled as Lucius made his way towards her. She stood up and fell into his outstretched arms. They stood there, holding one another, savoring the last few minutes they'd have together. Narcissa eventually pulled her head from his chest and looked up at him.

"Don't forget me," she whispered.

Lucius shook his head. "Never," he whispered back. And slowly his head lowered until their lips were touching. The kiss was bittersweet and salty. When they pulled apart, Narcissa buried her face into his chest once more. He dropped his head on top of hers and whispered, "I love you. I will always love you."